Why Cousins did it

Roar Pro

By Mark E, 1 Jun 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: AFL, Ben Cousins, media, Richmond Tigers

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The media have gotten themself into a sanctimonious lather over the latest Ben Cousins incident. Cousins ‘pulled the bird’ at the camera before the Fremantle v Richmond game on Saturday night. He is clearly shown directing his attention at the camera in the changerooms at Subiaco.

However many followers of football feel that Cousins frustration may be as a result of the continued media attention, which at times may be considered distateful.

What some media outlets are failing to report is the fact that the footage was taken over an hour before the game, at a time when players might expect some privace.

Furthermore, the camera clearly is following Cousins around the room.

While Cousins may have brought much of the attention on himself, there is a limit, and perhaps the media might with to contribute to the rehabilitation of Ben, rather than add to pressure he must be experiencing.

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The Crowd Says (33) | Page 1 of Comments

sheek said | June 1st 2009 @ 8:26am | Report comment

Unfortunately, all Cousins achieved was to demonstrate that he is as tasteless as many of the media chickens that chase him around looking for a quick story. I noticed Grant Kenny gave the media the same thing when he & wife Lisa Curry publicly announced their separation.

Some people can be famous because of particular skills they possess, but never develop any class.

It’s shame, I’m a fan of both Cousins & Kenny, but clearly, neither can be regarded as a superior human being of quality.

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Hoy said | June 1st 2009 @ 8:41am | Report comment

I don’t see what the problem is here. It is a fairly deliberate attempt to get Cousins into trouble over nothing. Why else did they show it on TV? There was no need… it isn’t newsworthy that is for sure.

So they show it, get a headline, and a quick attention grab for the “problems with sportsmen” mob.

Whoever decided to show this footage should grow up.

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Brett McKay said | June 1st 2009 @ 8:55am | Report comment

Hoy, I’m with you on your central premise, but it’s newsworthy BECAUSE it’s Cousins. At the moment, Cousins politely correcting a coffee order would be newsworthy for some perculiar reason. I think most people would share his frustration at the constant attention (which yes, sometimes is brought upon himself), but throwing a towel over the camera would have been a better move, rather than what he did..

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Michael C said | June 1st 2009 @ 8:59am | Report comment

Agree with Hoy,

main lesson for Cousins – - every camera is ‘live’,

a similar lesson on microphones was learned by people such as Ronald Reagan and Dean Jones.

I don’t think this says too much about Ben Cousins the person – - I really struggle to see why it should be an ‘issue’ and as a lady caller on SEN this morning commented – how come, if it was so ‘offensive’ did the 5th Quarter show on ch.10 show it so often and then finish off for the night treating it as a ‘joke’.

Scandal for scandal sake!! To me, it makes our media look far more foolish than Cousins – alas, the AFL might be forced by media pressure to sanction him………..THAT would be a scandal.

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jimbo said | June 1st 2009 @ 10:20am | Report comment

Just like Johns’ misdemeanors for NRL, the AFL seem to think Cousins’ publicity is good for the game.
His first match of the season helped fill the MCG and another packed house at Subiaco.

Why was his finger gesture shown on every news bulletin around the country?
My kids saw it and immediately started giving each other the one fingered salute.

Maybe the problem is not so much with Cousins, but more to do with the people that are using him.

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Redb said | June 1st 2009 @ 10:37am | Report comment

Just a smart arse bogan who is not good for the game other than supplying a decent blonde on his elbow for the Brownlow.

Redb

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Michael C said | June 1st 2009 @ 10:39am | Report comment

Jimbo -

agreed.

(bet that surprised you!! – I’ve GOT to ensure that I let you know that I’m not anti-Jimbo in a general combative sense!!)

The AFL as you correctly point out, seemed only too happy to mention the Cousins factor in the lead up to the Round 1 clash at the ‘G. (also during the pre-season – i.e. the ground double booking at Etihad over the HAL GF).

SO, yes, the AFL is guilty of seeking to exploit the marketing benefits of the Ben Cousins saga.

The sell out for a Freo game with Cousins there was interesting – as, the Freo folk we perhaps more likely to boo him than anyone!

Certainly though – the speed with which this story blew up into something ‘important’ and ‘newsworthy’ and front page around the country – - – that’s the really bemusing thing. So, never have you stated a truer musing than Maybe the problem is not so much with Cousins, but more to do with the people that are using him.

Hear hear Jimbo!!!

cheers

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Kurt said | June 1st 2009 @ 10:42am | Report comment

I’m just in shock that Jimbo allows his kids to watch AFL related stories on TV, I would’ve thought he’d send them from the room or cover their eyes or something. I’m sure he had them say their hail-maradonas before bedtime to cleanse their souls.

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Redb said | June 1st 2009 @ 10:59am | Report comment

Kurt,

yes amazing. Also revealing how Jimbo speaks for the AFL about these matters. On the contrary I listened to Andrew Demetriou (the CEO of the AFL) on the Offsiders who commented he thought it was a strange act that left him scratching his cranium like the rest of us as to why he would do such a dumb thing and he should apologise.

Ch 10′s use of the footage is the real culprit.

Redb

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Kick2Kick said | June 1st 2009 @ 12:41pm | Report comment

A lot of Cousins sympathetic supporters would be disappointed with that as his true colours again showed…

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