The fall and rise of Ben Cousins
Roar Guru
By Redb, 10 Aug 2009 Redb is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- AFL, Ben Cousins, Richmond Tigers
Ben Cousins was de-listed for 12 months in 2007 by the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute. Since then he has by any objective analysis done a fantastic job at letting his football be the only talking point in 2009.
In spite of doubts that many commentators had about his comeback who feared a few injuries this season might cause a relapse into bad habits, Cousins has ticked all the boxes to date.
In recent weeks, he has been lauded by coach and players alike as a great leader at the club. He has trained the house down, played with great spirit and has put the Tigers first at all times this year.
This is in vast contrast to his often selfish antics at West Coast where playing the boozed up party boy was more important than the Eagles.
Cousins was picked up in the 2008 draft at the last minute and was happy to secure any AFL contract, he accepted the base AFL wage of around $110,000 on a one year contract for the 2009 season.
There has been considerable talk of late that despite his age of 32 and Richmond’s focus of youth that Cousins deserves another season at least and with far greater remuneration. There has been talk of $300,000 – $400,000 for next year.
Given that footballers these days are paid big dollars and have plenty of free time, the opportunity to go down a party path is ever present.
It’s one thing to be earning $110,000 which is just a satisfactory honest lifestyle, it’s another to triple those dollars and all the trappings that can entail.
If Cousins lands a new contract, I suggest Richmond spend a fair bit of time planning and assisting Cousins in his retirement. He has to make the most of this money and more importantly be put on a path of life after footy.
This is something the AFLPA (Players Assoc) typically gets involved with, it is more important than ever that Ben Cousins cements the gains he has made.
Might I also suggest a stint on the speaking circuit talking about drug addiction to demonstrate you can come back and succeed at a normal life.
Cousins’ debt to society for a second chance will need to be repaid over and over again. That is not a bad thing if it keeps him on the straight and narrow and he can help a few others along the way.
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Bruce Walkley said | August 10th 2009 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
Spot on, Redb. If you remember, I was one of the few at the start of the season who thought he’d make something of his chance. Keep it going, Ben. Go Tiges!
Redb said | August 10th 2009 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
BW,
Yes you’ve got to give him credit.
It was a spectacular failure to being with when he was injured in his very first comeback game, not to mention the humiliating loss to Carlton in front of a huge crowd and TV audience in Melbourne. Could have come unstuck very quick!
Redb
AndyRoo said | August 10th 2009 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
He will probably become the AFL pundit for SBS once he retires.
Damien Martyn, Greg Mathews, Mark Waugh, Michael Slater ans Stuart Macgill(all been given SBS cricket gigs in the past) might not have been able to match cousins for off field press but they were a lot closer to cosins than the Justin Langers, Matt Haydens and Co who were media darlings and a lot more entertaining than Mark Taylor.
If they really want to go with youth then I hope they trade him to a genuine contender because he is potentially a great story. I wouldn’t mind if he came to the Brisbane Lions. The move would be poo pood at first and I am not sure if it is the image Brisbane want but he would be a hit in Sydney or Brisbane.
For all his partying West Coast still reached two grand finals and won one while he was apparently a drug addict (but was never caught by the AFL)
Redb said | August 11th 2009 @ 8:18am | Report comment
AndyRoo,
I know Swans fans want the 06 premiership back due to Cousins drug addiction. It is important to point that it was a so called recreational drug not a performance enhancing substance. I’m no expert but if anything it would have been a performance hindrance to be addicted to a drug in terms of highs and lows,etc.
I think he’ll stay at Richmond they have obviously got the balance right with Cousins and deserve to reap any benefits, albeit they seem at least 2-3 years away from making the finals and he would have retired by then.
Redb
Michael C said | August 11th 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
And Swans fans ignore that as a reigning club B&F and Brownlow medalist, that he was therefore target tested by WADA for the full range of ‘performance enhancing’ drugs.
(funny thing is ignorant media asked Western Bulldogs players about if they’d seen people getting tested – - and, the reply was often “I’ve never been tested, but, they seem to test Scott West and Daniel Cross every second week” – - an people thought WHY them?, they’d never do drugs – - but, what they didn’t realise is that WADA testing whether at the Olympics or in Footy, tests the place getters – so to speak. And Cross and West so often were top 3 club B&F from the previous year – - – so, Cousins, SHOULD have been getting tested regularly and the Swans supporters shouldn’t whinge,……after all, if Dale Lewis was to be believed some years previously…..
Redb said | August 11th 2009 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Interesting the flak that Dale lewis copped from many, when his claims reflected a real problem that the AFL needed to address and subsequently did with off season testing for recreational drugs.
Redb
Redb said | August 11th 2009 @ 8:22am | Report comment
The Herald Sun recently on Cousins.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25907540-5012974,00.html
“Off the field, Cousins admits he continues to face his demons.
He says he watches what he drinks and is careful not to do anything that will put him on the path to destruction.
“I have to be careful with that sort of stuff (drinking),” he said. “I’m on a pretty strict regime.
“I can’t afford to slip up, and enjoying the occasional drink is something I look forward to do. It’s all in moderation.”
Cousins said drugs did not discriminate: “People from all walks of life can find themselves in trouble and strife, or mixed up with drugs. There’s no right or wrong formula.”
Asked if his demons had left him, Cousins replied: “I’m not naive enough to think that I can just wash my hands of where I’ve come from and it’s all in the past. The harsh reality is it’s a struggle.”
Brett McKay said | August 11th 2009 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Red, you make an interesting point about the players assoc getting involved with planning for Cousins’ retirement, especially now with Brendan Gale taking over as Richmond CEO. How all parties handle the negotiation could be a key to Cousins’ life outside the boundary..
Redb said | August 11th 2009 @ 3:59pm | Report comment
Brett,
Yeah they interviewed Gale this morning on Melb radio SEN and he said he spent about two weeks digging away (asking questions) at the culture the club and the rationale behind decisions before accepting the post.
Gale is highly respected in AFL circles and is probably the ideal person to ensure Cousins continues on the high road (no pun attended) post footy.
Redb
Brett McKay said | August 11th 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
cheers Redb, Gale could be a very handy acquisition for Richmond, might just be the spark to get them back where they’d undoubtedly want to be..