Cousins passes hair test: Kangaroos interested?

[n1ck]

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/n ... 03793.html

Now it's Kangaroo Cousins?
Dan Silkstone | November 16, 2008[

THE FOOTBALL future of Ben Cousins took another twist yesterday as it emerged that the former Brownlow medallist had passed a hair test for drugs and could be considered a draft target by North Melbourne.

But a West Coast comeback for the former club captain was emphatically ruled out by Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett.

The Brisbane Lions and St Kilda still shape as the most likely draft destinations for Cousins if the nine-member AFL Commission clears the player to return to football when it meets in Sydney tomorrow and Tuesday.

The Sunday Age understands that hair and urine samples obtained from Cousins have been tested and are drug-free. But those results alone will not guarantee a return to football as the commissioners will have broad discretion to refuse Cousins' request to be re-registered if they are not convinced the player has reformed.

Neither the AFL nor Cousins' management would comment on the test results.

The former Eagles captain was banned for 12 months by the commission last year after a series of incidents led to a public admission from the four-time best-and-fairest winner that he was a drug addict. Drugs charges, levelled by Perth police after a dramatic roadside bust, were later dropped.

Most football people spoken to by The Sunday Age during the week said they believed Cousins would be cleared to return, though few believe it is a certainty.

There was confusion yesterday regarding where such a return might take place.

St Kilda and the Lions have already declared their interest, but Cousins' manager, Ricky Nixon, said he had spoken at length to North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley on Friday about Cousins' rehabilitation.

"(Laidley) said they did have some interest, but would have to do a lot of due diligence," Nixon said.

The Kangaroos coach did not give any undertaking to make a play for Cousins, but asked if Cousins was fit to resume his career and had turned his life around, Nixon said.

Laidley could not be contacted yesterday, but if the coach is interested in pursuing Cousins, he may have a difficult time convincing the club's administration.

Chief executive Eugene Arocca told The Sunday Age yesterday that he was not interested in bringing Cousins to the club.

"We are not interested and we haven't done any due diligence," he said. "He is not on our radar at all. We certainly, like every other club, would wish him the best, but in 2009 he does not fit into our plans.

"We've got a direction of developing young players and young talent through the draft. We've got a strategy and to recruit Ben would be outside of that strategy."

Nisbett also hosed down a push from former West Coast chairman Murray McHenry to bring Cousins back to the club, saying the Eagles wished their fallen champion well but did not seek his return.

"The door is shut. We made that decision 12 months ago," Nisbett said.

"As much as emotions swell from time to time and people have their different opinions, the decision's been made by the club in what we believe is the best interests of the club and that decision will stand."

The commission — which includes AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou — could reach a decision on Cousins by lunchtime on Tuesday and is likely to make its announcement later in the day.

Cousins, who has been avoiding any publicity in the lead-up to the meeting, will not appear before the commission and will issue a statement from Perth after the decision.

[Teflon]

geez beat ups from everywhere...Arocca says "weve done no due diligence" and cause Laidley asks if hes turned his life around all of a sudden hes a Kangaroo?

Is Ricky now into "lets beef up contract price" stage?

[St Fidelius]

Well, if that's the case I feel that we wont get him..

both Brisbane and North Melbourne have picks before us..

The only chance is the ND because if he does not nominate in the ND he will be snapped up by either Brisbane or North Melbourne in the PSD, and really there is not that much on offer in the PSD apart from BC

[Ice Wolf]

Well, if that's the case I feel that we wont get him..

both Brisbane and North Melbourne have picks before us..

The only chance is the ND because if he does not nominate in the ND he will be snapped up by either Brisbane or North Melbourne in the PSD, and really there is not that much on offer in the PSD apart from BC

Brisbane intrest seems to be just Voss trying to get media attention, and North Melbourne is just a media beat up, the media are just trying to sell papers, atm the only club that could be considered seriously interested is us.

[chook23]

Well, if that's the case I feel that we wont get him..

both Brisbane and North Melbourne have picks before us..

The only chance is the ND because if he does not nominate in the ND he will be snapped up by either Brisbane or North Melbourne in the PSD, and really there is not that much on offer in the PSD apart from BC

Brisbane intrest seems to be just Voss trying to get media attention, and North Melbourne is just a media beat up, the media are just trying to sell papers, atm the only club that could be considered seriously interested is us.

often it is the quiet ones that get the deal done

[Snakeman66]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/ ... 42,00.html

Saints officials, headed by coach Ross Lyon, have held several formal meetings with Cousins over the past month establishing his desire and commitment to a return to AFL football.

St Kilda also approached the private investigator who spied on Cousins in Perth for Collingwood during August and then presented a comprehensive summary to Magpie officials on the state of his health and social habits.

The investigator, a former Victorian detective, is believed to have been offered $30,000 to hand over his documents, but declined.
St Kilda is also known to have offered a boxing and fitness training expert as much as $100,000 for a full-time job as a personal bodyguard to Cousins if he moves to Melbourne to play with the Saints.

[chook23]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/ ... 42,00.html

Saints officials, headed by coach Ross Lyon, have held several formal meetings with Cousins over the past month establishing his desire and commitment to a return to AFL football.

St Kilda also approached the private investigator who spied on Cousins in Perth for Collingwood during August and then presented a comprehensive summary to Magpie officials on the state of his health and social habits.

The investigator, a former Victorian detective, is believed to have been offered $30,000 to hand over his documents, but declined.

St Kilda is also known to have offered a boxing and fitness training expert as much as $100,000 for a full-time job as a personal bodyguard to Cousins if he moves to Melbourne to play with the Saints.

Last 2 sentences "Jouno's" at their best.................worst

[Solar]

in other breaking news it could be between symonds and cousins for the last spot in the Australian test team, the Age can confirm that the australian coach has contracted cousins in the past 6 months to find out how he was recovering.....

or foreign minister stephen smith was seen talking to a person who knows ricky nixon, could cousins be pushing for a cabinet spot in the next federal election.....

Lets be honest, the eagles story was a huge beat up, this north one is a disgrace.....

got to love the off season!

[jays]

there is so much crap about ben in the media and all is false he will be a saint

[Saints Premiers 2008]

he isnt going to go to an un-sexy club like the kangaroos...he will go somewhere with a profile, not a club like the dockers, kanga's or tigers

[chook23]

he isnt going to go to an un-sexy club like the kangaroos...he will go somewhere with a profile, not a club like the dockers, kanga's or tigers

what a load of rubbish

statements of un-sexy
go somewhere with a profile

not clubs like......blah blah

Tiges as big, if not more than us, especially when up and about...

dockers more members than us

[Saints Premiers 2008]

he isnt going to go to an un-sexy club like the kangaroos...he will go somewhere with a profile, not a club like the dockers, kanga's or tigers

what a load of rubbish

statements of un-sexy
go somewhere with a profile

not clubs like......blah blah

Tiges as big, if not more than us, especially when up and about...

dockers more members than us

i disagree, the man has an ego the size of texas, he will go somewhere sexy with the profile to boot...we have that sexiness imo

[casey scorp]

i disagree, the man has an ego the size of texas, he will go somewhere sexy with the profile to boot...we have that sexiness imo

It really is very simple where he will go - it will be to the team which first uses a draft pick on him.

All of the suggestion that BC has already made up his mind etc is just a nonsense - he will go to whoever picks him up in the draft.

[falka]

Does anyone have any clue?

Our best bet is the PSD, not the ND

If he gets cleared on Tuesday AND wants to play for Saints then...

He agrees to terms with the Saints, puts price on his head and ignores overtures from Bris and Nth etc, they won't pick him up cold.

For instance he gets cleared by the AFL, Bris approach him, he says no thanks, I have put plans in place in Melbourne so don't bother, they won't take him.

That's my take. Talk of using First Rd pick is a bit pie in the sky.

[Armoooo]

Does anyone have any clue?

Our best bet is the PSD, not the ND

If he gets cleared on Tuesday AND wants to play for Saints then...

He agrees to terms with the Saints, puts price on his head and ignores overtures from Bris and Nth etc, they won't pick him up cold.

For instance he gets cleared by the AFL, Bris approach him, he says no thanks, I have put plans in place in Melbourne so don't bother, they won't take him.

That's my take. Talk of using First Rd pick is a bit pie in the sky.

Great first post, my sentiments exactly...

[sainter35]

Exactly right Falka.

I still can't believe people are even suggesting that we would use a first round draft pick. I know it doesn't help that you have a journalist from The Age writing an article suggesting the same thing but think about logically.

If he wants to join St Kilda he will nominate us as his preferred destination after he is given the all-clear by the AFL tomorrow.

Then we will take him in the PSD or a late pick in the ND.

Do you really think an opposition team would be stupid enough to nominate a player recovering from a substance abuse problem against his will?

Every club linked to him has stressed that his health and well-being is the most important thing.

[evertonfc]

Exactly right Falka.

I still can't believe people are even suggesting that we would use a first round draft pick. I know it doesn't help that you have a journalist from The Age writing an article suggesting the same thing but think about logically.

If he wants to join St Kilda he will nominate us as his preferred destination after he is given the all-clear by the AFL tomorrow.

Then we will take him in the PSD or a late pick in the ND.

Do you really think an opposition team would be stupid enough to nominate a player recovering from a substance abuse problem against his will?

Every club linked to him has stressed that his health and well-being is the most important thing.

Spot on the money.

[saintsRrising]

Exactly right Falka.


Do you really think an opposition team would be stupid enough to nominate a player recovering from a substance abuse problem against his will?

.

ANSWER: That would depend where Cousins is at.

If they believe Cousins is in the right state of mind to play football....stupidity would actually be passing over him for the price ofa reasonable pick.

Nixon is obviously actively hawking Cousins around to any AFL club that is interested. This to me is our biggest prblem...we the saints would be much better off if Nixon and Cousins both just point blank refused to speak to othe Clubs at all in any way shape or form....so that they wold be guessing at his state of mind.


Ak yourself this: Does Cousins have a passion to play with the Saints...I mean really? Or does he most likely just have a passion to play AFL again?

I believe the latter....and I think most clubs will do too.

if other Clubs sense that Ben basicaly just wants to play football again at AFL level..then they must takea chance on him. Unfortunately for the Saints if the Lions used their PSD pick on him they are not risking much at all....witha possible very big upside.

Hopefully we can convince him that the Saints will be the best place for him to resurrect his carreer.

[markp]

He'll go to the club he chooses (and you'd reckon he's already decided by now)... but he needs other interested parties to help maximize his price.

It's still the Saints by the length of the straight for mine.

[sainter35]

Exactly right Falka.


Do you really think an opposition team would be stupid enough to nominate a player recovering from a substance abuse problem against his will?

.

ANSWER: That would depend where Cousins is at.

If they believe Cousins is in the right state of mind to play football....stupidity would actually be passing over him for the price ofa reasonable pick.

Nixon is obviously actively hawking Cousins around to any AFL club that is interested. This to me is our biggest prblem...we the saints would be much better off if Nixon and Cousins both just point blank refused to speak to othe Clubs at all in any way shape or form....so that they wold be guessing at his state of mind.


Ak yourself this: Does Cousins have a passion to play with the Saints...I mean really? Or does he most likely just have a passion to play AFL again?

I believe the latter....and I think most clubs will do too.

if other Clubs sense that Ben basicaly just wants to play football again at AFL level..then they must takea chance on him. Unfortunately for the Saints if the Lions used their PSD pick on him they are not risking much at all....witha possible very big upside.

Hopefully we can convince him that the Saints will be the best place for him to resurrect his carreer.

I disagree.

As I said, if the AFL Commission decide to re-register him and he nominates us as his chosen club then I do not think another club would take him against his will. They have every right to draft him, of course. However if everybody is as concerned for his welfare as they make out I wouldn't think a club would draft him when he wants to be at another club. This is a person who is recovering from a serious substance abuse problem.

As for your question, obviously he has a strong desire to play AFL footy again. It's been said that it's been a big motivating factor in his rehabilitation. However what's to say that he doesn't want to play for us more than another club? Of all the clubs, we've been the club that has monitored his situation for the longest period of time. It's been posted on here that he's used our gym and socialised with our players away from the club.

Anyway, this is all hypothetical at this stage. The AFL Commission are yet to decide on his fate and as far as we know he is yet to indicate if he has a preference of what club to join. If he's happy to go anywhere then it's open slather. And we will certainly not be wasting a first round draft pick on him.

[Saints Premiers 2008]

its not about what ben cousins can offer us, its about what the club can offer cousins...as much as it sounds like we are whoring ourselves out...it is necessary to get our man if he is infact a player that can take us to a level surpassing the grand finalists

we can offer finals, the big stage, the ladder to the big dance is decreasing

the lions and kanga's can't, neither can the eagles

we are in prime position obviously to grab him

lets hope we are whoring ourselves out to meet any criteria he has, as thus far he has met ours...why declare major interest if we aren't???

seems like a waste of breath to me

[uncle joe]

He certainly hasn't named St Kilda as he prefered club at this stage . The Lions will be putting plenty of time in with Ben and Nixon if thy really want him . The Kangas too for that matter .
As far as wanting to go to a high profle club , the Lions probably fit that bill pretty well . They're a chance to play finals in 2009 , and I can see a Gold Coast unit suiting Ben pretty well .
It will come down to the PSD , money and some other conditions .If the Lions want him , they'll draft him , and there's nothing we can do about it .
He knows it's is last chance , so he will go where he's sent . Or give up AFL football !!

[SainterK]

Can I be the first to say that if he has indeed passed the hair test meaning that he has been clean for 3 months, well that is great news.

Nice to hear that someone is doing their best to kick a terrible addiction, go Ben!

[Hurricane]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/ ... 42,00.html

Saints officials, headed by coach Ross Lyon, have held several formal meetings with Cousins over the past month establishing his desire and commitment to a return to AFL football.

St Kilda also approached the private investigator who spied on Cousins in Perth for Collingwood during August and then presented a comprehensive summary to Magpie officials on the state of his health and social habits.

The investigator, a former Victorian detective, is believed to have been offered $30,000 to hand over his documents, but declined.
St Kilda is also known to have offered a boxing and fitness training expert as much as $100,000 for a full-time job as a personal bodyguard to Cousins if he moves to Melbourne to play with the Saints.

In other news its been confirmed that pigs might infact have the power of flight

BANG BANG