Cousins, football and addiction
anyone who has had to deal with drug addiction in their family knows that it is a hard road to travel - with enormous implications; there are the enormous emotional highs and lows, the explosive anger outbursts that come out of nowhere, the ripping off - both finacially and emotionally. The list goes on and on. Clearly, Cousins is seeking to deal with his addiction and some people say that an important part of his therapy is being allowed to get back on track in the top level of AFL. Some commentators have even suggested that if he fails to re-enter the AFL, it could be a major backwards step in his recovery. Please! Ben was a great footballer to watch and there was a lot of talk and reporting about his off field behaviour around Perth for years. Malthouse (who knows Cousins) and Collingwood expressed some interest, did some homework and said no thanks; now there are suggestions that the Lions and Saints interest might be waning. While may punters would like to see Cousins on the track again - we are not necessarily that keen on seeing clubs become Cousins therapy for healing. There are risks involved and there will always be risks - just ask any reformed alcoholic. Cousins has possibly copped some unfair media scrutiny; however he has also been given a great deal of support, a hell of a lot more than many other addicts receive (just think about that US clinic for starters). THE AFL has a tough decision to make, but the interested clubs have an even tougher one. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in a society that is riddled with drug abuse.
