By Tim Clarke
November 21st 2007 @ 4:10am
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Ben Cousins to take his time until 2009
While everyone else contemplates what the future holds for suspended AFL superstar Ben Cousins, the man himself said he would be making no decisions until well into 2008.
The day after being banned for 12 months by the AFL Commission for bringing the game into disrepute, the Brownlow medallist met his management team to discuss where life and football may take him next.
And after American police said they would not be pursuing drug charges against Cousins following his reported five-day cocaine binge, the disgraced star reiterated his desire to play in the AFL in 2009 - although no decision would be made until next year.
“I will be keeping myself in good shape to ensure I give myself every opportunity of returning to the AFL in 2009,” Cousins said in a statement issued by his management company Flying Start.
The statement went on to say: “A range of opportunities have arisen … they will be considered by Flying Start over the next few months.
“We ask that you respect Cousins’ privacy as he continues with his rehabilitation and regains full health.”
Despite Cousins’ drug addiction leading to the AFL ban, he is eligible to play in state leagues such as WAFL, VFL or SANFL because his suspension was not related to an on-field incident.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said playing next year might be beneficial in Cousins’ rehabilitation, and that the national competition would not stand in his way.
Cousins’ continued registration with WAFL club East Fremantle makes them early favourites to revive his career, and league bosses, who meet tomorrow to discuss the issue, confirmed Cousins was eligible to play in 2008.
“The commission is looking at what the process will be,” Wayne Bradshaw, chief executive of the WA Football Commission, said.
“First of all we need to determine whether he is keen to play or not. (We have had) general discussions (with East Fremantle) but I don’t think their board has formed a view yet.
“He has been a registered player, so we just need to look at all the implications of the AFL decision and their ruling before making a formal determination.
“The commission won’t be making a decision whether he can or cannot play (tomorrow), we simply we have to go by the rules … and the consideration the AFL have made yesterday.
“The WAFL has a big tradition, and history and we want to make it a vibrant competition and appealing to everyone.”
East Fremantle, where Cousins played 10 games in 1995-96, have hinted they would be interested in accommodating him, but new Sharks coach Shane Woewodin was more guarded.
“The AFL have only just made their decision, the WAFL commission have not talked about it, our board have not talked about it, and who knows what Ben wants to do,” Woewodin said.
“There is a lot of water to pass under the bridge yet.”
Both the SANFL and AFL Victoria, which oversees the VFL, today said they had not received an application from Cousins to play.
Both leagues said they would only discuss the issue at board level if Cousins applied.
The VFL has been tipped the league more likely to accommodate Cousins should he opt for a fresh start away from Perth, however the AFL indicated not every VFL club would be a potential new home.
Geelong and Collingwood will field their own sides in the VFL next season, which would most likely prevent Cousins playing with either as he cannot train with an AFL club.
The state leagues would most likely seek advice from the AFL if approached, but Demetriou said the national competition would not encourage the second-tier competitions to abide by its decision.
“In many ways, and this is one of the things that was considered yesterday, as part of Ben Cousins‘ rehabilitation there is a lot of merit in him playing football again next year to assist in his rehabilitation,” Demetriou said.
“But again, that will be entirely up to (him to decide) where he wants to play and then up to league that he applies to … our rules don’t cover those leagues.
“If he can (play) we won’t stand in his way. We’ve said that if it assists in his rehabilitation then good luck to him.”
The AFL Players’ Association also backed an early return.
AFL clubs contacted were non-committal about the prospect of recruiting Cousins for 2009, given the fallen star must complete drug rehabilitation and regain full health first.
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