Ben Cousins of Richmond shows his emotions after losing the AFL Round 20 match between the Carlton Blues and the Richmond Tigers at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images
Part one of the Ben Cousins documentary Such is Life, which screened on TV last night, was both compelling and confronting. Leaving aside the momentum-halting antics of Channel Seven, it made for great viewing. But it did manage to raise more than a few questions.
For starters, just why did the West Coast Eagles take so long to act? How did he escape the AFL’s testing? Could WA Police have done more prior to Northbridge?
There’s still a lot to be answered.
One idea Cousins was keen to debunk was the notion that he’d taken drugs on the day of a game or the day before. He said he’d never done it. He also spoke candidly of his commitment to his training routine: “I wouldn’t have butter on my toast, let alone have a f***ing beer or take drugs.”
However, with his final match before retirement this Sunday, those things also raise their fair share of questions.
Can Cousins make the transition into life after football? What will he do without the support structure of a football club? What will he do without the routine of football?
The doco also managed to raise the more broader issue of how we treat young sports stars on the rise. Cousins rose to prominence in his first AFL season, debuting at age 17 and going on to win the Rising Star award. From there he only got better, becoming Eagles captain at just 22.
But what was interesting to hear last night was that his father, Bryan, met with Eagles officials after hearing the club were offering his son the captaincy. He let them know he was opposed to the idea, fearing his son may start to feel “bulletproof”.
The club didn’t listen. Ben did indeed end up feeling bulletproof.
Do we need to re-think the way we treat stars of the future and the expectations we put on them? Do we need to be more mindful of all young footballers when it comes to the attention they get?
It has to be said, if there’s one man that deserves an incredible amount of praise for his role in this story it’s Bryan Cousins. He has to be commended for looking out for and standing by his son at all times.
Something that was made painfully obvious last night was that during the worst of Ben’s drug addiction, it was his family that hurt the most. That angle is one that should be stressed further in the second and final instalment tonight.
Viewers were confronted with several shots of Cousins using drugs – the first came two minutes into the program – however the jury’s out as to whether that promotes or discourages drug use. The effect that drug use had on those around Cousins, however, is surely undeniable.
But will that be the lasting impression viewers get from the program? Is the portrayal of Ben’s rock and roll-type lifestyle such a good thing? Or, conversely, does it all open up discussion that otherwise wouldn’t have taken place?
Despite all the quite serious discussion points to come from last night, a few words need to be said about the way Seven have gone about broadcasting the documentary. Ad breaks were frequent, lengthy and came at times when the story was starting to gain momentum.
Had the ads been less disruptive, the show might have had a greater effect. Additionally, it has to be asked: was it really necessary to split up the show over two nights?
At any rate, the documentary shows a young man with the world at his feet practically throwing it all away. It shows the consequences of his destructive behaviour.
There simply has to be a lesson in that, for anyone who watches.
And look, full credit to Ben for revealing a side of himself that, let’s be honest, most of us would rather keep private. It’s given plenty of people an insight into a world they know too little about.
But will tonight be the last we hear of the Ben Cousins story?
It’s doubtful.
mattamkII
Guest
"For starters, just why did the West Coast Eagles take so long to act? How did he escape the AFL’s testing? Could WA Police have done more prior to Northbridge" Or, Ben could just have not taken drugs... "The club didn’t listen. Ben did indeed end up feeling bulletproof." My heart bleeds.... "Do we need to re-think the way we treat stars of the future and the expectations we put on them? Do we need to be more mindful of all young footballers when it comes to the attention they get?" No, they can just no do drugs...I actually have no issues with them doing whatever they like...but most of the population dont agree with me...so players, dont take the cash if you dont want over the top attention..
Was rather pleased with the content and format of the document. In particular the realism was striking (e.g. Ben's attitude, past & present, was really insightful). Even more pleasing is the hysterical reactionary commentary across news websites; commonly such comments I've observed are devoid of logic and objectivity (not to mention the holier-than-thou-art judgemental attitudes on display). Naturally these comments are counterbalanced by measured, rational responses which were more often than not formed from (explicitly & implicitly) life experiences. Said comments really showed some of the best redeeming qualities of humans. What does this all add up to? Discussion. I think that is the most important outcome of the doco: discussion & debate. Hopefully this will help Australian society abolish the 'drug taboo' and consequentially shed its regressive views on substance abuse. I hope the documentary will be considered for high school curriculum because I found the drug education at school (there lack of) to be contradictory when compared to the alcohol & sex education we received. Considering what I've heard some fellow ex-classmates have gotten up to since then, I'm not surprised. The future is looking very optimistic indeed.
Moonface
Roar Guru
There are still some unanswered questions and the AFL are not being asked about their role in Cousins' demise and if they could have helped to prevent it. I wouldn't be surprised if the AFL is not telling the truth about the whole affair. Why wasn't Cousins caught by the AFL drug testing? How much did the AFL know about his drug habit, before Cousins was arrested and the police made it public? Did the AFL harm Cousins and his family by covering up his (and other West Coast players) drug adiction and drug dealing activities? Should they have tried to rehabilitate him earlier? Why did Cousins' girlfriend contact the AFL and not call 000 and an ambulance when she found him unconscious? I'd pay to watch Andrew Demetriou give honest answers to those questions.
Footy Legend
Roar Rookie
that's a huge amount of people
JB
Guest
I wasn't impressed with the doco or Ben. He didn't seem remorseful nor pushing a don't do drugs attitude. He just seemed like it was no big deal, everyone does it, and laughed things off. Had a smug attitude. West Coast have a lot to answer for. They let it slide for so long, still refuse to accept a drug problem at the club. Cousins' situation, Chris Mainwairing dying of a drug overdose, and now Chad Fletcher busted for cocaine possesion this week, after his 2006 incident in Las Vegas too. west Coast did nothing. And the AFL are absolutely soft on drugs no matter how hard they deny it. This has shown how bad Cousins' drug problem was, and he managed to not get any positive tests at all, even avoiding tests. And there's several players still playing who have recorded 2 positive tests. Yet they're still playing which only reinforces that if you do drugs, you won't be punished because we want you playing football. AFL is pathetic, they handled the whoel thign badly, and are partly to blame. Their system does not catch drug users, and doesn't offer them the rehabilitation they need. Their system allowed Cousins to get as bad as he did. @john. Northbridge, was when Ben Cousins was pulled over by a drug taskforce and arrested (the shirtless arrest). News camera crews were already on the scene when it happened so it's assumed police tipped them off. It was reported they found $20 note with traces of cocaine, no charges were ever laid. So all the talk was Cousins was set up.
john
Guest
I agree, seems a little convienient at best. Im not an AFL fan, whats the story with 'NorthBridge'?
Jonathan
Guest
Jeez, I don't know many drug takers who film themselves taking drugs. One wonders whether the heart wrenching destructive behaviour witnessed on film was just fodder for his doco and a bid to create some sympathy. I actually find the whole drug addiction angle a bit of a cop-out to be honest. I've known lots of causal drug takers but not many addicts; maybe someone can enlighten me as to how easy it would be for a drug addict to be so calculating as to be able to avoid AFL tests for so long?
Mega
Guest
I felt no sympathy for Ben but plenty for his Dad and sister. Ben doesn't seem too remorseful for what he put his family through.
Redb
Roar Guru
Regardless of CH 7's attempts to make hay while the sun shines there is still a message for parents with teenage children. Cousins story was well documented in the National media, people want to know some of the inside stuff, as evidenced by the 2 million TV ratings.
Art Sapphire
Guest
redb - you found watching footage a soon to be ex-footballer taking drugs in a TV documentary (that's being milked for all the money that it's worth) interesting. I don't...
beaver fever
Guest
Good post, i did not watch it, but i can tell you, that some kids just have to learn the hard way, Ben appears to be in that category, i have heard he had similar problems whilst at Wesley College, which was a long time ago. Some kids will listen, some wont, Ben appears to be a young impressionable soul (despite his age), and no doubt we will hear about him again.
sheek
Guest
I thought the docco was fantastic. And Cousins refreshingly honest. It has certainly changed the impression I had of him & his father. The main lesson from Cousins is what happens to our young, impressionable, highly valuable stars when they are over-indulged by everyone who wants to jump on the gravy train. But of course, this lesson won't be learnt, but repeated ad nauseam. Human greed knows no boundaries. On Cousins, it is often said you have to acknowledge a problem & your wrong-doing, before you can begin to fix it. Cousins refreshing honesty suggests to me he understands what he's done, & a desire to correct past faults. Not to mention the enticement of a lucrative media gig.....!
Redb
Roar Guru
You said: "I didn’t realise watching someone take drugs is so interesting" That is naive.
Art Sapphire
Guest
No redb - I'm not critiquing the show as I did not watch it. I'm critiquing Michael's naivete. If I was him, I would have IQed it on Foxtel and skipped thru the ads ;)
The Link
Guest
Solution to the ad problem - a four corners expose?
Redb
Roar Guru
So your commenting on a doco you did not watch, interesting.
Redb
Roar Guru
Ch 7 did their best to kill it with Ads. Part 1 was Ok, part 2 no doubt a little more confronting. This doco should not have been split in the first place.
Mister Football
Guest
Why did West Coast take so long to act? Because of the rarified existence of the top AFL players in cities like Perth and Adelaide. How will he go in retirement? Like elite sportsman, it will be a struggle initially - for some it remains a struggle for the remainder of their lives. On last night's doco - I'd only rate it as marginally interesting. Patrick Smith had the very best line: If the AFL thinks you're killing their brand - they will kill you.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Are you really that naive Michael. Ofcourse the doco was an adfest. Cousins is a valuable commodity. Break up a doco into two parts and squeeze a squillion ads in to maximise the return on your investment. Its not rocket science. Check out the ratings. 2 million viewers watched the doco. I didn't realise watching someone take drugs is so interesting. I did not watch it. SUCH IS LIFE: THE TROUBLED TIMES OF BEN COUSINS-WED 1,996,000 - 355,000 (Syd) 781,000 (Melb) 226,000 222,000 412,000 (Perth) Anyway, based on the rating figures. Channel 7 will get Ben to star in as many things as possible in the next few years. How about Border Security :) Just stay away from those media award nights, Ben :)
Diesel
Guest
Hope the doco makers pass their high school media studies class. It's touch and go after part 1.