Afl Set To Block Moves For Cousins' Early Return

The Age

Thursday November 1, 2007

Caroline Wilson with West Australian

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 flew to California last week to resume his treatment for drug addiction but reportedly did not check in at the Summit rehabilitation centre as expected. The Brownlow medallist's 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 AFL and its commission have been embarrassed by Cousins' repeated refusal to co-operate with the 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 possession charges against Cousins, the commission's view is that the sacked 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.

The Eagles yesterday followed AFL advice and retained Cousins on their playing list to avoid salary cap problems if he won a compensation challenge, but made it clear he would be removed from the playing squad on November 30. The league had told West Coast that if it delisted its former captain before the November 24 national draft and he won a court claim, the money would be included in West Coast's 2007 salary cap.

Cousins' lawyer Shane Brennan said the move showed the Eagles and AFL were preparing for a legal confrontation.

Meanwhile, forward Ashley Sampi will fly to Victoria next week to do pre-season training with Melbourne. The Demons organised for Sampi to live with Aaron Davey and will monitor his progress. Melbourne has picks four, 14, 21, 52, 64 and 70 in the national draft. -- With WEST AUSTRALIAN

© 2007 The Age

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