IN DEFENCE OF JEFF FARMER by Whispering Jack

On Wednesday night when Fremantle's Jeff Farmer was involved in another late night incident involving alcohol and damage to property at Perth's Burswood Casino, the thirty year old former Demon player came close to pressing the eject button on his AFL career. Indeed, a decision on his future will be made in the next few days by interim Docker coach Mark Harvey.

The knives however, are already firmly in the Wizard's back. As soon as the news of the incident came out I received word that, this time Jeff Farmer was gone: the Dockers were preparing for an early termination of his career (in any event his current contract expires at the end of the season).

The media of course, has been having a field day with Jeff. In today's Sunday Age article IT'S TIME AN ERRANT FARMER WAS SHELVED Caroline Wilson advocates that Harvey must urge his club's board to, "at the very least, shelve Farmer until the end of the season, and probably forever." Caro is not alone among the media and it has been a common theme on talkback radio and internet footy message boards. The basis of the cry for his removal from the game is the talented but ageing footballer's unenviable record with his on field and off field behaviour in the past twelve months.

First, there was a night club fight in December 2006 in which he was alleged to have been involved and which left Subiaco Football Club player, Greg Broughton with a broken eye socket (no charges were laid). Then, during the NAB Cup pre season competition, he incurred a six match suspension for eye gouging - his 10th suspension and his 14th Tribunal appearance. His club doubled the penalty in April 2007 after he was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly punching a security guard at a Perth nightclub in Perth. The Dockers also fined him $5,000.00 while a court later fined him a further $3,000.00 after he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing bodily harm. He had previously pleaded guilty and was fined $2000 for assaulting his long-time girlfriend in November 2004.

The calls to sack Farmer have been heard long and loud all the way across the Nullarbor and I find it curious that they seem to me to have created a far greater cacophony for his removal from the game than occurred in the cases of Cousins, Kerr, Gardiner, Didak et al. With Cousins the line was clearly one of the industry's responsibility to heal this poor soul of his drug addiction but with the Wizard, there seems to be a reluctance to look into the background of his problems with alcohol, his anger and his own inability to deal with his personal problems.

The wise heads of football want Farmer punished and possibly put an end to his career without a thought about rehabilitation or the direction the man’s life might take as a result of such punishment. Why the difference in the attitude they adopt towards Farmer (punishment) compared with Cousins (rehabilitation followed by adulation for his performance on return)?

Would it be out of order for me to suggest that the Wizard's life experience has been far different to that of Cousins in terms of his family background, the racism his people experience and the condition of the indigenous people of this country? In saying this I'm not excusing what he has done or suggesting that racism is definitely an issue behind his behaviour. What I am saying is that if the football world owes Ben Cousins a right to rehabilitation and a second, third and fourth chance then it owes at least the same to Jeff Farmer. He needs our help.

  Demonland said:

IN DEFENCE OF JEFF FARMER

Thanks for putting what I feel about the treatment of Jeff into words WJ

Nicely put Jack... I feel very sorry for Jeff, far more than for the media's darling in Cousins. I'm conflicted about his future. I'd gladly welcome him back at the club via a suitable trade or PSD IF he could get his head right, but that's a very big IF... I am not sure what sort of collateral damage would be caused by him going off the rails, but I suspect certainly no more than the Pickett situation. I hope he can turn it around because he appears to be very troubled and unhappy.

  Demonland said:

Would it be out of order for me to suggest that the Wizard's life experience has been far different to that of Cousins in terms of his family background, the racism his people experience and the condition of the indigenous people of this country? In saying this I'm not excusing what he has done or suggesting that racism is definitely an issue behind his behaviour. What I am saying is that if the football world owes Ben Cousins a right to rehabilitation and a second, third and fourth chance then it owes at least the same to Jeff Farmer. He needs our help.

Is that an excuse/justification to belt up your wife? Completely different to the Cousins situation and Farmer has been given many, many chances. Give him help and a chance to rehabilitate yes, but stop him from damaging the image of the sport immediately.

There are other terrible things going on in this country and this excuse is often dragged out to explain why it's happening, I don't believe it for a second.

  Jarka said:

Is that an excuse/justification to belt up your wife? Completely different to the Cousins situation and Farmer has been given many, many chances. Give him help and a chance to rehabilitate yes, but stop him from damaging the image of the sport immediately.

There are other terrible things going on in this country and this excuse is often dragged out to explain why it's happening, I don't believe it for a second.

You've missed the entire point Jarka. He's specifically saying that it's not an excuse but that the attitude towards Cousins' multiple breaches of the law and community standards have been treated far differently by those in authority to those of Farmer. In Cousins' case it was all a matter of understanding his affliction, how it came about and the necessity to provide a remedy. There's little of that with the Wizard.

  rumpole said:

You've missed the entire point Jarka. He's specifically saying that it's not an excuse but that the attitude towards Cousins' multiple breaches of the law and community standards have been treated far differently by those in authority to those of Farmer. In Cousins' case it was all a matter of understanding his affliction, how it came about and the necessity to provide a remedy. There's little of that with the Wizard.

No, you missed my point. How many times has Cousins beaten up his partner or done physical damage to other people?

  Jarka said:

No, you missed my point. How many times has Cousins beaten up his partner or done physical damage to other people?

Cousins doesn't have a partner any more. She told the media that she left him because she couldn't take the mental anguish of living with him in his drug addicted state.

Farmer's conviction with regard to his partner happened three years ago and has nothing to do with current calls for him to be dismissed.

  rumpole said:

Cousins doesn't have a partner any more. She told the media that she left him because she couldn't take the mental anguish of living with him in his drug addicted state.

Farmer's conviction with regard to his partner happened three years ago and has nothing to do with current calls for him to be dismissed.

You didn't answer my question. All of Farmer's indiscretions have involved violence to other people including his own partner (one of the worst crimes anyone can commit imo). How many times has Cousins beaten up his partner or anyone else in the last three years?

The current calls for Farmers dismissal is because of his long history of belting people up, so of course his decision to smash his partners face in comes into consideration.

Give him help and try to rehabilitate him? Yes, of course, but FFS stop the damage he's doing to the image of our sport.

  Jarka said:

You didn't answer my question. All of Farmer's indiscretions have involved violence to other people including his own partner (one of the worst crimes anyone can commit imo). How many times has Cousins beaten up his partner or anyone else in the last three years?

The current calls for Farmers dismissal is because of his long history of belting people up, so of course his decision to smash his partners face in comes into consideration.

Give him help and try to rehabilitate him? Yes, of course, but FFS stop the damage he's doing to the image of our sport.

How silly of me?

I thought the current call for Farmer's dismissal was because he drank grog while recovering from an injury, went to Burswood Casino late at night and damaged a car mirror. Those things are of course far more damaging to the image of our sport than drug addiction or consorting with criminals using loaded weapons!

Or do you known something we don't?

  rumpole said:

How silly of me?

I thought the current call for Farmer's dismissal was because he drank grog while recovering from an injury, went to Burswood Casino late at night and damaged a car mirror.

Do you known something we don't?

You still haven't answered my question, I understand why you're trying to deflect it though.

Why did Farmer damage the car?

  Jarka said:

You still haven't answered my question, I understand why you're trying to deflect it though.

Why did Farmer damage the car?

I don't know but I think it was probably because he was [censored].

  rumpole said:

I don't know but I think it was probably because he was [censored].

He did it because he got [censored], then got into an argument and wasn't able to control his temper.

Look, he obviously needs help, and he should get everything that can be done, but his footy career is over.

Going back to the original debate, from my murky memory Cousins hasn't belted anyone up, including any partners he has or has had in the past. Two completely different cases, Cousins has been given an opportunity to learn from his mistakes, Farmer just hasn't learnt and continues to completely lose it.

  Jarka said:

He did it because he got [censored], then got into an argument and wasn't able to control his temper.

Look, he obviously needs help, and he should get everything that can be done, but his footy career is over.

Going back to the original debate, from my murky memory Cousins hasn't belted anyone up, including any partners he has or has had in the past. Two completely different cases, Cousins has been given an opportunity to learn from his mistakes, Farmer just hasn't learnt and continues to completely lose it.

Here's a list from Wikipedia of the off field incidents Ben Cousins has been involved in and the mistakes he's been allowed to learn from:-

Cousins' football career has been marred by several off-field incidents which have attracted considerable negative publicity.

In September 2002 Cousins was involved in a brawl with team mate Daniel Kerr at a Perth nightclub, in which he punched Kerr in the face during the club's end of season celebrations. Later the same night, Kerr pushed Cousins down a flight of stairs, breaking his arm.

In May 2005 Cousins and then West Coast team mate Michael Gardiner were criticised for involvement with a group of alleged Perth underworld figures. According to allegations the two Eagles players received phone calls from gangland figures both before and after a stabbing and shooting at the Metro City nightclub. Police questioned Cousins and Gardiner about the incident but they refused to aid the inquiries. The club told the pair that they were on their "last warning" and that their off-field behaviour would not be tolerated.

On February 12, 2006, Cousins avoided a booze bus by abandoning his car in the middle of a major Perth highway and running from police as they ordered him to stop. His role as captain of the Eagles was quickly put in doubt following the incident, and on February 20 he read out a statement in front of media at Subiaco Oval announcing his resignation as captain. He was charged on summons on February 27 with one count of obstructing traffic and one count of obstructing police. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $900. He was fined $5,000 by the Eagles.

In early December 2006 Cousins was arrested in Melbourne and spent four hours in jail after being in a disoriented and uncontrolled state at the Crown Casino. Photographs of Cousins showing him apparently passed out outside the Casino were later printed in newspapers. Cousins did not need to go to court and was not fined, and the club decided not to discipline him, saying the media scrutiny was sufficient punishment.

Drug addiction and rehabilitation - 2007

On the 20 March 2007, West Coast club chairman Dalton Gooding announced at a press conference that Cousins had been suspended indefinitely (officially) for his failure to attend two training sessions. When pressed on the exact reason for the suspension, Gooding would only say that Cousins was facing a "number of personal and professional issues" and that "Over the past few weeks those issues have come to the surface and it's time that Ben was suspended from the club to go away and try to tackle those issues head on." It was also confirmed in the press conference that Cousins, along with the rest of his team-mates underwent an AFL drug test on March 19.

On the 22 March 2007 Cousins' father, Bryan, made a prepared statement admitting that his son had a "substance abuse" problem. To add to his personal issues, Cousins had also recently split with his long-term girlfriend, Samantha Druce. Acccording to Fox News Ms. Druce "simply could no longer cope with all the baggage that comes with being Cousins's girlfriend."

On the 3 April 2007 Ben Cousins was admitted to the exclusive Summit Centre in Malibu, California. This was despite misleading leaks from the Eagles and Cousins' camp that suggested he was heading to Arizona for treatment.

On the 24 April 2007 Dalton Gooding said that Cousins would return within the next fortnight. Cousins arrived back in Perth on the 30 April 2007 and is likely to continue his treatment at an outpatient program there.

On the 4 May 2007 Cousins made a well scripted public statement. In this statement Cousins apologised to a number of groups including his team mates, his club the West Coast Eagles, the AFL and the community. He said he was continuing his rehabilitation but did not know when he would return to football.

On the 29 June 2007 Cousins was given clearance by the AFL to resume training with the West Coast Eagles, which he did on the following Monday. It had been rumoured that he would may make his return to the side the following weekend against the Brisbane Lions, but Cousins suffered a pulled hamstring in training on the day before the game so it was likely he would return in another 2 - 3 weeks. .

Cousins made his return to football on the 21 July 2007 in a match against arch-rivals Sydney at Subiaco oval. He started on the bench but six minutes into the first quarter he was given the green light and received a huge reception from the Eagles' home crowd. Cousins proceeded to rack up 38 disposals in one of the best matches of his AFL career.

Ben Cousins clearly deserved getting an opportunity to rehabilitate himself while the Wizard whose last misdemeanour was to break a car mirror did not according to Mr. Jarka.

Go figure?

  Devil said:

Here's a list from Wikipedia of the off field incidents Ben Cousins has been involved in and the mistakes he's been allowed to learn from:-

Cousins' football career has been marred by several off-field incidents which have attracted considerable negative publicity.

In September 2002 Cousins was involved in a brawl with team mate Daniel Kerr at a Perth nightclub, in which he punched Kerr in the face during the club's end of season celebrations. Later the same night, Kerr pushed Cousins down a flight of stairs, breaking his arm.

In May 2005 Cousins and then West Coast team mate Michael Gardiner were criticised for involvement with a group of alleged Perth underworld figures. According to allegations the two Eagles players received phone calls from gangland figures both before and after a stabbing and shooting at the Metro City nightclub. Police questioned Cousins and Gardiner about the incident but they refused to aid the inquiries. The club told the pair that they were on their "last warning" and that their off-field behaviour would not be tolerated.

On February 12, 2006, Cousins avoided a booze bus by abandoning his car in the middle of a major Perth highway and running from police as they ordered him to stop. His role as captain of the Eagles was quickly put in doubt following the incident, and on February 20 he read out a statement in front of media at Subiaco Oval announcing his resignation as captain. He was charged on summons on February 27 with one count of obstructing traffic and one count of obstructing police. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $900. He was fined $5,000 by the Eagles.

In early December 2006 Cousins was arrested in Melbourne and spent four hours in jail after being in a disoriented and uncontrolled state at the Crown Casino. Photographs of Cousins showing him apparently passed out outside the Casino were later printed in newspapers. Cousins did not need to go to court and was not fined, and the club decided not to discipline him, saying the media scrutiny was sufficient punishment.

Drug addiction and rehabilitation - 2007

On the 20 March 2007, West Coast club chairman Dalton Gooding announced at a press conference that Cousins had been suspended indefinitely (officially) for his failure to attend two training sessions. When pressed on the exact reason for the suspension, Gooding would only say that Cousins was facing a "number of personal and professional issues" and that "Over the past few weeks those issues have come to the surface and it's time that Ben was suspended from the club to go away and try to tackle those issues head on." It was also confirmed in the press conference that Cousins, along with the rest of his team-mates underwent an AFL drug test on March 19.

On the 22 March 2007 Cousins' father, Bryan, made a prepared statement admitting that his son had a "substance abuse" problem. To add to his personal issues, Cousins had also recently split with his long-term girlfriend, Samantha Druce. Acccording to Fox News Ms. Druce "simply could no longer cope with all the baggage that comes with being Cousins's girlfriend."

On the 3 April 2007 Ben Cousins was admitted to the exclusive Summit Centre in Malibu, California. This was despite misleading leaks from the Eagles and Cousins' camp that suggested he was heading to Arizona for treatment.

On the 24 April 2007 Dalton Gooding said that Cousins would return within the next fortnight. Cousins arrived back in Perth on the 30 April 2007 and is likely to continue his treatment at an outpatient program there.

On the 4 May 2007 Cousins made a well scripted public statement. In this statement Cousins apologised to a number of groups including his team mates, his club the West Coast Eagles, the AFL and the community. He said he was continuing his rehabilitation but did not know when he would return to football.

On the 29 June 2007 Cousins was given clearance by the AFL to resume training with the West Coast Eagles, which he did on the following Monday. It had been rumoured that he would may make his return to the side the following weekend against the Brisbane Lions, but Cousins suffered a pulled hamstring in training on the day before the game so it was likely he would return in another 2 - 3 weeks. .

Cousins made his return to football on the 21 July 2007 in a match against arch-rivals Sydney at Subiaco oval. He started on the bench but six minutes into the first quarter he was given the green light and received a huge reception from the Eagles' home crowd. Cousins proceeded to rack up 38 disposals in one of the best matches of his AFL career.

Ben Cousins clearly deserved getting an opportunity to rehabilitate himself while the Wizard whose last misdemeanour was to break a car mirror did not according to Mr. Jarka.

Go figure?

What exactly does this demonstrate, he had a fight with a teammate - so what? That won't be the last time two teammates have a punch on. Are you comparing that to beating up your partner?

Edit - you highlighted 'a stabbing and shooting', are you suggesting he had something to do with it, and if not what does that have to do with Cousins?

Do you understand what Wikipedia is and who creates these notes?

Excellent piece WJ.

I agree with what your saying one hundred percent.

Jarka - give it up

The situations that Cousins and Farmer have put themselves in are staggeringly different but I don't think that was the point WJ was trying to make.......

The media and general public mentality is one of complete flagellation of Jeff Farmer, wanting him to be sacked or worse. Ben Cousins copped the same (with plenty of justification), but probably not that kind of attitude, particularly the sought of actions people (media) seem to want to see from within his own football club.

Not that Farmer hasn't deserved that treatment. He has been a repeat offender, and should never just be allowed to get away with the crimes he has committed, particularly those that have involved violence towards others. But there must always be an attempt at rehabilitation, particularly if alcohol is involved as that can be a problem that can be helped, before your throw someone, anyone including Jeff Farmer (and Ben Cousins) to the wolves.

But that is the thing that Ben Cousins is trying to do. He shouldn't be criticised for trying to clean up his life, and it completely riles me when someone who is trying to make some kind of amends gets treated with contempt. You don't have to respect, like or approve of what he has done in the past, but I have seen the struggle to overcome a drug addiction first hand, and while you are never not an addict, if you can remain clean you deserve to be praised.

Maybe, or more likely definitely Farmer needs help, and if he is willing to help himself then a second chance should always be forthcoming, but that is the thing here isn't it? Farmer has to want to be helped. That is the only way anything will help. Although I genuinely hope that Fremantle do look into some kind of help for him.

But the media only report on the sensational and never have to be held accountable for their attitude or opinion. And unfortunately if he keeps offending his reputation will proceed him and it will be the first thing taken into account when anything is reported on him whether that be the bad or the good.

  Demonland said:

He needs our help.

Sorry WJ, but I have to disagree with you on this point, and respectfully at that.

There are plenty of other people out there who are more deserving of our help than a thug who earns $500k per year.

To have learnt nothing. Oh, Jeffrey, Jeffrey what have you done?

IMO, it is only a matter of time before Ben does another "runner". He is not the sharpest tool in the shed by a long way. Note the grin.

Biffinator.

Last time I checked physically punching anyone is against the law. It's called assault. Whether it is against a team-mate, girlfriend or your worst enemy the favt is it is illegal Cousins IMO is a tool of the highest order. Farmer will always hold special memories for me from his time in the red and blue. However his off-field behavior lessens my respect for him greatly (Cousins never had my respect- I hate posers and wankers and he is both).

  rumpole said:

I don't know but I think it was probably because he was [censored].

Apropos.......

Farmer admits drinking problem

Maybe now he will get some of that help he most definitely needs.

  QueenC said:

Apropos.......

Farmer admits drinking problem

Maybe now he will get some of that help he most definitely needs.

I agree very much with the words "He needs our help". Even if you don't know anything about his background surely everyone in our society is aware of the problems among indigenous Australians vis a vis alcohol. Yes, we could bury our heads in the sand and say it's not our problem but if that's so why do all of our major political parties have policies aimed at assisting indigenous communties to overcome it? Also, he might be on a good earn but that in itself won't help him overcome a drinking addiction any more than Ben Cousins' big fat contract and the comfort of nice suburban family background did for his addiction. He needs our help because it's a collective problem that the country faces. Violence is one of the symptoms of the problem.

I also agree that Jeff was reasonably at peace when he was playing here in Melbourne. Coming back here now might not solve his current problem but I think he would be at less risk here than over in Perth which is where those problems started for him.