Michael C,

I too support the AFLs decision to rehabilitate players rather than punishing them harshly for a mistake. It is perhaps easier to cut people adrift, rather than helping them. But the Australian way is to support people.

You said But the issue of illicit drugs is like a slippery eel that the AFL cannot quite master

the issue of illicit drugs was a political football put in play by the Howard Government.

The AFL did lose the PR ‘war’, no thanx to crap media.

This included high profile sports ‘commentators’ on national breakfast TV programs who suggested that Wendall Sailor if caught in the AFL would still be playing. THese folk had no idea that the AFL was WADA compliant and that anyone caught under the WADA program would be done in the same manner as Sailor. (so, SHOULD be no issue there for the AFL).

Many folk chose to believe that the AFL was NOT WADA compliant. Or, when comparing testing – swimmers etc spoke of their testing not realising that their ‘WADA’ program was the same as the AFL base WADA program. And that the Illicit out of competition testing was additional and not instead of.

Thankfully now, there is a fed govt working WITH rather than against the AFL on this issue.
Ben Cousins is an exception that should become more exceptional.
Should HE be an indictment on the AFL?

No.

He should be an indictment upon the WADA program. In that, as a club B&F (and Brownlow) winner in 2005, WADA testing TARGETS the top 3 from each club in the prevous year. And yet – - nothing.
WADA failed to pick up Andrew Johns.

There are still, and we clubs back during the Howard/Kemp inspired debate on the issue – who quoted “Oh, we’re WADA compliant, we don’t have a problem”.

well……..gee………….no problem at all…………because, they wouldn’t have a clue.

One day, soon………..comments like But the issue of illicit drugs is like a slippery eel that the AFL cannot quite master. will change to The AFL led the way, despite populist political and media agenda driven criticism and sloganeering – to treat illicit drug use by sportsmen as a health issue, as, often it was more a symptom, of deeper issues such as mental health problems or alcoholism. That the AFL stood firm with the support and urging of numerous experts in the field of drugs health was a credit to the AFL, where others might have wilted.

(I hope the AFL won’t wilt).

I think Essendon will do well to hold it’s own in 2009, but look out for 2010. As for a new Hird, Lloyd, etc, write this name down – Neagle.

I have a feeling the Swans will get their crowds back in 2009.

Redb