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For much of his
237 game AFL career
Ben Cousins was
a hero. Since making
his debut in 1996
his skill, work
ethic, hard running
capacity and sense
of fair play were
to be admired. They
earned him a Brownlow
medal in 2005, six
(6) All Australian
selections, four
(4) Club champion
awards, four (4)
years as club Captain
and a Premiership
medallion in 2006.
He seemingly had
it all. With model
looks and being
presumably well
compensated for
his talents it was
a life for those
on the outside to
envy.
So what triggered
such a disastrous
and sad fall from
grace? Was it too
much money and too
much spare time?
Was it just bad
company? Was it
the pressure and
public scrutiny
of living in a fish
bowl? Was indulgence
in drugs a temporary
escape from a problem
felt too difficult
to face? Was there
a basic lack of
direction, leadership
or dare I say love?
Possibly all of
the above.
Naivety or ignorance
to the dangers of
drugs could not
be the reason. The
Australian Football
League (AFL) and
the South Australian
National Football
League (SANFL) conduct
education programmes
through their member
clubs. Mid-way through
Season 2007, the
SANFL in partnership
with the South Australian
Police ran a drug
and alcohol awareness
program at Norwood
to which all League
and Reserves players
were required to
attend. It was a
highly informative
if not confronting
presentation and
interactive session
that simply could
not be ignored.
The pictures on
our television screens
over the past few
weeks are a timely
reminder to us all
of the evils of
drugs and how they
can quickly consume
and destroy even
those we feel are
strong and well
schooled. Alcohol
is an addictive
drug, Nicotine is
an addictive drug.
Gambling is an addictive
drug. Many social
/ recreational drugs
are addictive and
illegal.
We should not underestimate
the pressures and
complications felt
by our sons and
daughters, brothers
and sisters through
their formative
years as they search
for acceptance,
recognition and
a place to call
home in what can
be a very confusing
world. Through their
insatiable appetite
to experience all
the world has to
offer, they can
become vulnerable
to the forces of
evil.
As Parents, Grand-parents,
Partners, Teachers,
Employers, Government
or Community clubs
(including Sporting
clubs), collectively
we share a responsibility
to educate and protect
our loved ones from
the evils of drugs.
Love them, Listen
to them, Understand
them. They are precious.
We think it won’t
happen to us or
one of our loved
ones. No doubt Mr
and Mrs Cousins
thought the same.
David J Bean
League Team Manager
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