According to Courtney Walsh in today's Australian the AFL "will sanction West Coast despite the club's decision to sack former skipper Ben Cousins before he appears in a Perth court today to face drugs charges." - EAGLES PAY PRICE FOR COUSINS

"... commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick issued a serious warning to the club during an extraordinary meeting with West Coast's leadership group and officials in April that any further misbehaviour would result in a hefty penalty.

'The Eagles have been put on notice that if they appear before the commission again, they will be subject to the full force of the 1.6 rule of conduct unbecoming, which can lead to a fine, suspension, loss of draft picks or premiership points,' Fitzpatrick said at the time."

does that mean we can get pick 13, cos they aint gonna take pick 3 away from them cos that was in a trade deal

Caro Wilson says by jettisoning Cousins, WCE may have saved themselves further problems as the AFL are keen to put this under the carpet. I think she is right although I dont think the outcome is.

If AFL were to punish by draft picks, I dont think it would matter where the pick came from. I think the AFL's lists of punishments here are broad.

Caro Wilson says by jettisoning Cousins, WCE may have saved themselves further problems as the AFL are keen to put this under the carpet. I think she is right although I dont think the outcome is.

If AFL were to punish by draft picks, I dont think it would matter where the pick came from. I think the AFL's lists of punishments here are broad.

It all depends on how long/ how much West Coast have been hiding from the AFL.

Already they've been caught in a lie regarding Cousins taking a drug test following Mainwaring's death which came back negative.

It's not looking good for them... sacking Cousins might be a case of too little too late (we can only hope for our benefit <_< ).

On SEN news this morning it was reported that the AFL hasn't ruled out draft penalties for the eagles.

it was also reported that the eagles have been in constant contact with the AFL since January over this issue so it might (if they are lucky) soften the blow.

Ben, since having his contract canceled with the weagles, is now de registered with the AFL. He can apply for the pre season draft but his application would have to be approved by the AFL commission.

But gee Pick 3 would be nice. Come on down Trent Cotchin.

The commission is only meeting next month I believe, so I can't see the AFL handing out draft penalties for this year's draft. If anything, it'll be next year's draft for which they are penalized.

Either way, I hope the commission tells them to stay the hell away from anymore controversy and pick up a local kid with their first pick.... fingers crossed!

On SEN news this morning it was reported that the AFL hasn't ruled out draft penalties for the eagles.

it was also reported that the eagles have been in constant contact with the AFL since January over this issue so it might (if they are lucky) soften the blow.

Ben, since having his contract canceled with the weagles, is now de registered with the AFL. He can apply for the pre season draft but his application would have to be approved by the AFL commission.

But gee Pick 3 would be nice. Come on down Trent Cotchin.

Soften the blow Didn't work for us when we dobbed ourselves in.

It all depends on how long/ how much West Coast have been hiding from the AFL.

Already they've been caught in a lie regarding Cousins taking a drug test following Mainwaring's death which came back negative.

It's not looking good for them... sacking Cousins might be a case of too little too late (we can only hope for our benefit <_< ).

I dont think this is as relevant as the AFL trying to save face and get this matter buried. The AFL and WCE have been complicit in this for some time.

Demetriou is wearing a lot of egg on this matter from his comments on Cousins "successful" return to AFL football through to its oft criticised drugs policy.

Just heard a news report that the charges against Cousins will be dropped - not sure whether its a furphy though!

Just heard a news report that the charges against Cousins will be dropped - not sure whether its a furphy though!

Yep, one of the two charges has been dropped because it apparently wasn't a "prohibited substance".......

Poloce Drop Charges

Just heard a news report that the charges against Cousins will be dropped - not sure whether its a furphy though!

And the Eagles are unlikely to get any kind of penalty (despite being culpable for a long time in all of this)........

Eagles likely to escape penalties

And the Eagles are unlikely to get any kind of penalty (despite being culpable for a long time in all of this)........

Eagles likely to escape penalties

Yep, and by next week the idiots in charge of the AFL will be telling us that all is well, drugs are not a problem within the league, and Ben Cousins was infact an evil monkey sent by aliens to destroy our sport

Pathetically weak as always.

Caro Wilson says by jettisoning Cousins, WCE may have saved themselves further problems as the AFL are keen to put this under the carpet. I think she is right although I dont think the outcome is.

If AFL were to punish by draft picks, I dont think it would matter where the pick came from. I think the AFL's lists of punishments here are broad.

if it is draft picks it won't be this year

if it is draft picks it won't be this year

On the other hand if the Fonze remains consistent it won't be any year soon. According to this report in the West Australian, it's been going on for years and the Eagles have ignored it - Eagles accused of drugs cover up. Same goes for this one - Early warning of an Eagles' fall.

So why even bother with sanctions if its' been going on for so long and nobody bothered to do anything about it before?

And the WCE will be immune to tough action from the AFL?

Of course, that's reserved for clubs that breach the salary cap or whose players have a punt with a bookie or on the TAB.