Ben Cousins - Why did he retire?

[TigerGlory]

I dont know about anybody else but something with the Ben Cousins retirement just isnt right. Comments?

 

[coke_zero]

Him and the club both thought it would be better off with him not going around again, most likely.

 

[copthat]

Body struggling to hold up?

 

[Bazzar]

Him and the club both thought it would be better off with him not going around again, most likely.

I got the impression listening to Benny Gale in the after doco discussion that it was more a club decision. I can’t help think the recent sleeping tablet incident may have sealed his fate.

 

[1980GFVideo]

I got the impression listening to Benny Gale in the after doco discussion that it was more a club decision. I can’t help think the recent sleeping tablet incident may have sealed his fate.

Had he really wanted an extra year I think he would have asked them to call it what it was so he could at least explore the option of a year at Gold Coast.

(As much as GC say they are not after discards from other clubs, they will be forced to and will be made up mainly them next year.)

Club probably didn't want to go with him for another year but he must have conceded that there wasnt much to gain playing a year for another club.

 

[Junior24]

Its simple, his body just can't come up week after week. He actually hasnt trained (proper training, not a quick run around) since April. He (and probably the club, as much as both may have wanted him to go on) knew his body wouldnt hold up for another season.

 

[ata33cro]

I also got the impression that his body probably wouldnt be able to hold up for another year. Even though he has been playing well but afterwards he looked exhausted. Anyone remember the post-interview he did with Leigh Colbert? (I think it was the Adel game). Cousins was struggling to speak.

 

[tugga]

If it was the club's decision, and I suspect it was, then perhaps our days of in-fighting and leaks may be coming to an end.
The fact that nobody really knows is testimony to how our club has handled, not only his retirement, but the whole two years.

 

[Bazzar]

If it was the club's decision, and I suspect it was, then perhaps our days of in-fighting and leaks may be coming to an end.
The fact that nobody really knows is testimony to how our club has handled, not only his retirement, but the whole two years.

Good call.

 

[mcuzzy]

He would know by now he isn't fit enough anymore to continue playing at AFL level due to his ongoing hamstring problems.

If he wants to keep playing footy he could play WAFL, but I'm not sure if he will go into the media or something.

Reason for retirement is simple, club knew Ben's time was coming to an end and accepted that they had to let him go to continue rebuilding the club.

Ben would have agreed or even made the suggestion himself too.

 

[Wally Matera]

I'll say it again.

Ben Cousins was never going to get another year once he was admitted into hospital for many of you still want to delude yourselves was a concoction of sleeping tablets, no doze and red wine.

Ben would have been given another year, but he blew it. You dount believe me still... why is Mike Sheehan asking the exact same question in todays paper?

People know... and people talk.

 

[tugga]

I'll say it again.

Ben Cousins was never going to get another year once he was admitted into hospital for many of you still want to delude yourselves was a concoction of sleeping tablets, no doze and red wine.

Ben would have been given another year, but he blew it. You dount believe me still... why is Mike Sheehan asking the exact same question in todays paper?

People know... and people talk.

Fruit fly. People dpn't listen to you for a reason.

 

[TOOs_Finest]

I'll say it again.

Ben Cousins was never going to get another year once he was admitted into hospital for many of you still want to delude yourselves was a concoction of sleeping tablets, no doze and red wine.

Ben would have been given another year, but he blew it. You dount believe me still... why is Mike Sheehan asking the exact same question in todays paper?

People know... and people talk.

A journo taking a stab in the dark. Wow, just wow! Who'd have thunk!?

To the OP, everything is right about Cuz's retirement, regardless of who made the decision.

The timing was right.
The handling by the club and Cuz himself was right.
And if Cuz plays and we win on Sunday, then the occasion is right.

 

[Bazzar]

I'll say it again.

Ben Cousins was never going to get another year once he was admitted into hospital for many of you still want to delude yourselves was a concoction of sleeping tablets, no doze and red wine.

Ben would have been given another year, but he blew it. You dount believe me still... why is Mike Sheehan asking the exact same question in todays paper?

People know... and people talk.

Im with you on this one wally

 

[Wally Matera]

Fruit fly. People dpn't listen to you for a reason.

Really tugga? You honestly believe that shit? No-doze and a couple of sleeping tablets?

I spout a lot of opinions, that people disagree with and many of it is just that, opinion. So l can understand why many dont listen. The documentary comes up with a lot of unanswered questions about Cuz, from his ability to get through the testing, to his time at WCE to everything... but the one question Mike wants anwered... is what happened that night. Why? Because people know and people talk.

Now, Mike is just a journo and they all talk some bullshit. It was probably a bad example, but l've been saying this for weeks... not because its an opinion either.

Just stating what happened. Cuz was never going to get another contract and it was decided nearly two months ago. The guy is a drug addict. It is completely normal to re-lapse, its part of the rehab. Even if he did re-lapse, just that once, he'd still be free to play on because Ben had never tested positive to an AFL drug test before his arrival at punt road. Now, as every player gets two strikes before being suspended, if that was his first strike or even second strike, then both club and the AFL have absolutely no obligation to reveal the indescretion. The fact that he was taken to hospital was the only reason it even became public.

You are absolutely right about one thing... RFC have done a remarkable job in keeping things tight. Because this time, the leaks arent coming from the club. Plenty of others that are close to the situation.

 

[bigpapagman]

I'll say it again.

Ben Cousins was never going to get another year once he was admitted into hospital for many of you still want to delude yourselves was a concoction of sleeping tablets, no doze and red wine.

Ben would have been given another year, but he blew it. You dount believe me still... why is Mike Sheehan asking the exact same question in todays paper?

People know... and people talk.

Sir. You are a ****wit.

 

[Richo Rules]

he apparently spoke to some other players who have been there recently and they said it would be better going out on your owns terms while still playing well rather than breaking down and having a bad year next year
richo was one of these

 

[CQTiger]

he apparently spoke to some other players who have been there recently and they said it would be better going out on your owns terms while still playing well rather than breaking down and having a bad year next year richo was one of these

Totally agree RR. Much better to go out on a high with a farewell game on your own terms and savour the moment. Bet Richo would have loved a farewell game (just like all of us would have loved him to have had one)

 

[tugga]

Really tugga? You honestly believe that shit? No-doze and a couple of sleeping tablets?

I spout a lot of opinions, that people disagree with and many of it is just that, opinion. So l can understand why many dont listen. The documentary comes up with a lot of unanswered questions about Cuz, from his ability to get through the testing, to his time at WCE to everything... but the one question Mike wants anwered... is what happened that night. Why? Because people know and people talk.

Now, Mike is just a journo and they all talk some bullshit. It was probably a bad example, but l've been saying this for weeks... not because its an opinion either.

Just stating what happened. Cuz was never going to get another contract and it was decided nearly two months ago. The guy is a drug addict. It is completely normal to re-lapse, its part of the rehab. Even if he did re-lapse, just that once, he'd still be free to play on because Ben had never tested positive to an AFL drug test before his arrival at punt road. Now, as every player gets two strikes before being suspended, if that was his first strike or even second strike, then both club and the AFL have absolutely no obligation to reveal the indescretion. The fact that he was taken to hospital was the only reason it even became public.

You are absolutely right about one thing... RFC have done a remarkable job in keeping things tight. Because this time, the leaks arent coming from the club. Plenty of others that are close to the situation.

Fair enough mate.
You make some good points.

 

[DM10]

I'll say it again.

Ben Cousins was never going to get another year once he was admitted into hospital for many of you still want to delude yourselves was a concoction of sleeping tablets, no doze and red wine.

Ben would have been given another year, but he blew it. You dount believe me still... why is Mike Sheehan asking the exact same question in todays paper?

People know... and people talk.

People that you know and talk know stuff all! Unless one of them has access to his medical files.

The only people that know the truth is the drug testers, the afl and his doctors.

Anyway, you will find out all in his book!

 

[DM10]

Really tugga? You honestly believe that shit? No-doze and a couple of sleeping tablets?

I spout a lot of opinions, that people disagree with and many of it is just that, opinion. So l can understand why many dont listen. The documentary comes up with a lot of unanswered questions about Cuz, from his ability to get through the testing, to his time at WCE to everything... but the one question Mike wants anwered... is what happened that night. Why? Because people know and people talk.

Now, Mike is just a journo and they all talk some bullshit. It was probably a bad example, but l've been saying this for weeks... not because its an opinion either.

Just stating what happened. Cuz was never going to get another contract and it was decided nearly two months ago. The guy is a drug addict. It is completely normal to re-lapse, its part of the rehab. Even if he did re-lapse, just that once, he'd still be free to play on because Ben had never tested positive to an AFL drug test before his arrival at punt road. Now, as every player gets two strikes before being suspended, if that was his first strike or even second strike, then both club and the AFL have absolutely no obligation to reveal the indescretion. The fact that he was taken to hospital was the only reason it even became public.

You are absolutely right about one thing... RFC have done a remarkable job in keeping things tight. Because this time, the leaks arent coming from the club. Plenty of others that are close to the situation.

So, you don’t know what the conditions of Ben being re registered were?
He is not allowed 3 strikes! Do some research, you don’t know it all!
People close to this situation? You are full of it!!

 

[Bazzar]

People are getting up Wally, but watching, reading, listening to everything that is Cuz, im 100% in agreement with him.

Even Demetriou said yesterday they suspected Cuz relapsed when he shaved the body hair, but on advice from drug councillors/experts they let him through because it was essential to his rehabilitation.

Cuzzes Dad said on the after doco chat that a relapse is essential to recovery, he used the analogy of a smoker who is of the **** for 6 months and has a 2 week period of smoking, then goes back of it for good. Weather that is good/bad correct or what ever, he has basicly admitted Ben relapsed.

The sleeping tablet incident was no doubt the end for Cuz and the Tigers. Every major football journalist, Doctor, drug counsellor in the preceding days in the media, all cast doubt on his story. Add to that the three sources (that i had heard in the media) who said a seperate ex Eagle team mate of Cuses was admitted the same night at a different hospital with the exact same condition. Very suss.

I wish he had gone on. If we put up with him for two years then whats the difference with three. Hope he has a blinder tomorrow. Ill be their, cant wait.


On a side note... Interesting a current listed AFL player is shown on TV to snort coke and smoke crack, and Vlad is letting it go. Forget the fact its a doco, fact is he is/has broke the law, and even Vic Pol has said they will be investigating it.

If that isnt bringing the game/code into disrepute ill go he. If the AFL was deadly serious, Cuz would/should have been suspended.

They have set a precedent that may well come back to bite them on the bum.

 

[Cousinsb]

Hi guys, I made the decison to retire on my own terms, I was told I could go around again if I wanted to and the club would continue to support my ongoing rehabilitation.

Unless Hardy was speaking out of his arse, which he simply doesnt do Im confident no one above was against the idea of me playing on.

In the end I decided to go out on my own terms, I didnt want to be one of those blokes who plays on for milestones, I want to be remembered as someone who was still contributing week in week out up until I pulled the plug.

I tend to think that is now. I wont lie, my body has been telling me for the last 5-6 weeks that it's not up for the rigours of the game anymore and I've got some bigger battles ahead.

I just want to say thankyou to the Richmond Footy club for giving me the chance and you the supporters for all your kind words and sprays.

Will be giving my all tomorrow and really want to go out with a bang.

To the bloke using Wally Materas name and talking jibe, he's a great man and you're a weed.

Last post on here. Go Tigs.

 

[ata33cro]

Totally agree RR. Much better to go out on a high with a farewell game on your own terms and savour the moment. Bet Richo would have loved a farewell game (just like all of us would have loved him to have had one)

I wish we had the chance to see Richo play his last game.

Maybe Cousins made the right decision to retire today, and end on a high note and say good bye to his fans. Who knows if Cousins' hamstring would be able to last for another season (probably not). ?

 

[pawleesee]

Really tugga? You honestly believe that shit? No-doze and a couple of sleeping tablets?

I spout a lot of opinions, that people disagree with and many of it is just that, opinion. So l can understand why many dont listen. The documentary comes up with a lot of unanswered questions about Cuz, from his ability to get through the testing, to his time at WCE to everything... but the one question Mike wants anwered... is what happened that night. Why? Because people know and people talk.

Now, Mike is just a journo and they all talk some bullshit. It was probably a bad example, but l've been saying this for weeks... not because its an opinion either.

Just stating what happened. Cuz was never going to get another contract and it was decided nearly two months ago. The guy is a drug addict. It is completely normal to re-lapse, its part of the rehab. Even if he did re-lapse, just that once, he'd still be free to play on because Ben had never tested positive to an AFL drug test before his arrival at punt road. Now, as every player gets two strikes before being suspended, if that was his first strike or even second strike, then both club and the AFL have absolutely no obligation to reveal the indescretion. The fact that he was taken to hospital was the only reason it even became public.

You are absolutely right about one thing... RFC have done a remarkable job in keeping things tight. Because this time, the leaks arent coming from the club. Plenty of others that are close to the situation.

If this was true, I highly doubt that the players and our coaching staff would have shown as much emotion and passion as they did today towards him...

Did anyone see the way Cuz and DH hugged after the game? that wasnt an embrace for the cameras...