Blog comments

• I am amazed with the inconsistency of the AFL, e has never tested positive and the AFL are pretty much saying we dont want you to come back, what a joke. He is a great player and i will always admire him

  Tony Wednesday 19 November, 2008 - 12:34 PM

• Ben Cousins has had more negative publicity and made more headlines around Australia than any rapist, murderer or drunk driver who has killed someone. The AFL are treating him harsher than any known and convicted criminal is treated.
  
  I think the AFL's position regarding drug testing Ben Cousins is inequitable. I'm very suprised that the Equal Opportunities groups haven't jumped on the band wagon about this. Ben has never tested positive to a drug test yet there are 17 other AFL players who have and they are still playing and not subjected to this treatment.

  If another club picks up Ben, are they going to be subjected to the same conditions that the AFL threatened West Coast with e.g. loosing points, fines and loosing draft picks?

  The AFL is responsible for taking these boys from age 15 or so, and treating them like they are gods. The AFL make millions out of these guys - they're not people but a commodity! The boys don't live a normal life, they train all the time, get hounded no matter where they go or what they do. The media are mongrels and don't leave them alone - (and well intentioned public/fans)is it any wonder they

  I think the AFL should get over the fact that West Coast was the first interstate club to take the cup away from Victoria and grow a brain. In my opinion Ben is one of the greatest players I've ever seen and I only hope that I get to see him play again one day.

  I wish you well Ben, keep clean and stay healthy.

  Sharon Wednesday 19 November, 2008 - 1:41 PM

• I think it's been an awful waste of media coverage, talkback, legal representation, television airtime and publicity if Ben decides that his conditions are too hard.

  Consider the following. If his re-admission to AFL had been rejected, there would be public uproar and unfairness in his opinion. Contrary to the above, he's been given the green light and slamming it back in the face of those who have in theory helped him put his case forward.

  By not agreeing to what some would call 'simple terms' to come back into the job that made him who he was, you'd have to wonder what it is he he hiding and so cautious of????

  Jeremy Wednesday 19 November, 2008 - 2:34 PM

• Why doesn't Ben have to give his medals back like other athletes who admit to taking drugs? We used to watch him and say "look at him, speeding off his face" We could all be that good if we had a "BOOST" He should get the same deal as any other player, as half of them are on drugs or alchies.

  Angie Thursday 20 November, 2008 - 1:05 PM

• How sad, everyone deserves a second chance, lets hope Ben can cope with this latest chapter in his life, he has been dealt more to deal with, due to an adiction than many many others- hung out to dry I reckon, and he will need to be made of tough stuff and courage get get through this hurdle, let's hope that a club will pick Ben up. Down the track there will be a reckoning and some people( in football) are going to have to stand very tall to deal with the outcome of this

  George Tuesday 25 November, 2008 - 7:56 PM

• Hi, i know quite a few afl footballers personally i dont think they are gods they are just like me and you, i catch up with some ppl such as eagles, bris, freo players etc....

  i think ben cousins is gettin a bit to old to play footy in my mind, i am happy that brisbane said no to him cause we dont need any other older players we need younger players cause i think what voss is doing is another 1999 season then 01,02,03 was our best years,

  im from perth so yeh the bris player i tlked to even said in september that bris are considering ben cousins, but he was wrong.

  Cheers
  ben can find another club other then bris:)

  Reece Tuesday 2 December, 2008 - 1:07 PM