And Stay Out: Demetriou Says Cousins Highly Unlikely To Be Allowed To Return

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday October 19, 2007

Karen Lyon

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has shut the door on Ben Cousins ever returning to the game, urging the sacked Eagle to concentrate on beating his drug addiction and regaining his health.

Deregistered by the AFL after his axing from the Eagles on Wednesday night, Cousins will need the permission of the AFL Commission to nominate for any future draft.

Demetriou suggested any such approval was highly unlikely next year, saying a return to football should be the "furthest thing from our mind".

"There is absolutely no doubt that he is just not ready to play football, Demetriou said. "He has got serious health issues that should be the only priority and focus for him and, I am sure, for his family."

The league boss also appeared to rule out any return to elite competition in the future, saying it would be "really, really difficult for him to play in our competition".

"From our perspective, the AFL has now got an obligation to manage this great competition on behalf our stakeholders, of which there are many. We are responsible to our players, to our clubs, to our sponsors, to our broadcasters and, more importantly, to our supporters.

"Our obligation ... is to manage this competition and Ben Cousins's obligation is now to go and manage his life."

But still Demetriou offered Cousins the AFL's support if he sought to continue his rehabilitation. "Both the West Coast Eagles and ourselves will continue to support Ben Cousins and make available our medical commissioners and provide whatever medical support he needs," he said.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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