Ben Cousins has proved to be an extraordinary footballer over the years, but the recent airing of his documentary has left us with many unanswered questions.
Initially, I was disappointed with the first episode of the two-part series documentary because there was limited reference to the impact of drug addiction on, not only Ben Cousins, but also his family.
The first part was filled with commentary from prominent sports journalists which I found unnecessary in the context and purpose of the documentary. Chief football writers Caroline Wilson and Mike Sheahan have their say in respective newspapers.
I wanted to hear more from Ben and the impact his drug addiction had on him.
Following the Cousins’ documentary, AFL Operations Manager Adrian Anderson was forced to announce that current drug testing regimes would instantly be able to identify a drug addiction to the extent of Ben Cousins.
“People need to understand that the AFL’s illicit drug policy wasn’t introduced until 2005, nine years after Ben Cousins first played in the AFL in 1996,” Anderson said on Thursday.
“In 2005 we were starting out and learning as we went.”
Without a doubt Mr Anderson and the AFL would need to defend current policies in order to not promote the use of drugs whether it is recreational or performance enhancing.
The AFL surely couldn’t stand back and say nothing.
Since the drug policy was implemented we have been told it’s the most rigorous form of testing in the world, yet Cousins still managed to hide his drug addiction and not submit a positive drug test. I would like to have heard from Ben how he honestly managed to escape testers without limitations placed on him about what he can and can’t say by the AFL.
Cousins was only able to state in the documentary that he had no plan to “beat” the drug tests.
According to doctors, drug addictions force you to become very paranoid about what goes on around you. I find it hard to believe that it was luck that enabled Ben to fluke negative drug tests. It’s unfortunate that we won’t be able to hear what Ben really thought.
The documentary was dubbed an educational tool that would assist parents in talking to their children about the effects of drugs and its prominence within society.
The documentary essentially needs to be used as a reference point rather than referred to directly. The underlying messages weren’t as clear and confronting to what we all had first thought. Parents need to take responsibility ensuring they are able to talk communicate, educate and support their children, especially those with a problem, that we have seen Brian Cousins do, so admirably over the past decade.
Part two of Cousins’ documentary was more confronting and brutally honest accounts from his family members, who greatly suffered.
What we can all draw from the documentary is how incredible Brian Cousins’ support was to son Ben through his troubled times.
In no uncertain terms, Brian also put his health on the line to save his son as fear grew within the family for his wellbeing and an onset of a heart attack.
We haven’t heard Ben Cousins apologise to his family, in particular his father. Maybe like his tears he will want to keep that private. But since he has made the documentary it’s a public forum, I think it would be fitting for the 32-year old to also publically thank his father for his tremendous support.
Where to for Ben now post football?
As we saw in the documentary, it was essential for Ben’s recovery to be revolved around football. Terry Wallace and the Richmond football club threw him a lifeline, literally. Brian Cousins believes his son wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for football.
I hope that the AFL is also able to support Ben by providing him with a role at the AFL allowing him to work with young players developing through AFL ranks at a young age and mentor them on how to deal with loads of money, an overwhelming fan base and lack of privacy.
Ben fell into a dark place and has fortunately been saved. If his experience can not only assist him in his rehabilitation but educate other young players, a role within the AFL is something that must be seriously considered.
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