Afl Set To Announce Decision On Cousins' Future

The Age

Thursday November 1, 2007

Caroline Wilson

BEN Cousins now looks certain to spend 2008 outside the AFL system with the league determined the player will be punished for bringing the game into disrepute.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou confirmed last night a decision on Cousins' future would be made before the next commission meeting, scheduled for November 19 and 20, and would be announced within days.

Cousins' stated hope of resuming his AFL career will be delayed by at least one season, with the AFL ensuring he spend at least next year proving to the competition and the wider community that he remains dedicated to his rehabilitation.

The Brownlow medallist flew to California last week to resume his treatment for drug addiction while the AFL and its commission have been embarrassed by Cousins' repeated refusal to co-operate with law, most recently by his refusal to agree to drug-testing procedures after being charged 16 days ago in Perth.

While the AFL's legal options have been complicated by the West Australian police and their decision to drop the possession charges against Cousins, the commission's view is that the sacked West Coast footballer's early return to senior football has reflected poorly on the competition and embarrassed the AFL given Cousins' public behaviour since.

It remains unclear what penalties, if any, will be imposed upon the Eagles although a full investigation into the club has not been ruled out.

© 2007 The Age

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