SUCH IS LIFE

[Demonland 65,729]

SUCH IS LIFE by Whispering Jack

So the AFL has decided to charge Ben Cousins with bringing the game into disrepute after something like six years in which the kid's been involved with members of the underworld, fled from a breath test, been found blotto in a gutter outside the Casino, admitted to being a drug addict, refused a blood test and sneered and sniggered his way on and off football fields, airport lounges and who knows what else?

Back in July, the AFL allowed Cousins back into the game although there was no satisfactory public statement from Cousins or genuine assurance that he was, in fact, drug-free and over his addiction - the preconditions originally laid out by his club for a return.

The same AFL which once claimed to be Mr. Nice Guy and so very concerned for his health and welfare now charges Cousins at a time when he's been dumped by his club and is about to enter a Los Angeles drug rehabilitation clinic for a second time. That's magnificent timing but where's the charge against his former club which allowed this farce to be played out after being warned by the AFL that any more would see it sanctioned with a possible heavy monetary penalty and a loss of draft picks?

And what responsibility did the AFL itself have in this sordid little episode?

The game's peak administrative body certainly looks foolish now in the way in which it has completely mismanaged the drug issue and particularly by the way it allowed Cousins an easy and premature return to the field of play.

Meanwhile, on the same day and in a different place, Dick Pratt, the President of an AFL club now officially called the "Caaarton Football Caaartel" and his company receive the heaviest fine for corporate price-fixing (many people regard that as a form of "theft"). The AFL won't bat an eyelid about that because, well ... that scam occurred long before Pratt became President but at about the same time that Caaarton was carrying out a different type of scam involving the salary cap.

Of course, Pratt was President of Caaarton when it was the highest bidder for Chris Judd and his golden groin after he defected from the West Coast Eagles amid concerns in some circles that there might be another salary cap scam brewing and he remains in the position today after being exposed as the country's biggest ever corporate lawbreaker. Would the AFL ever bat any eyelid over that?

Or will its head honcho Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli merely sigh softly, turn his head up to the skies and mutter ... "such is life"?

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Good on you WJ...

AFL is heading rapidly towards Grid-Iron in reputation...

[John Dee 438]

Nice article Jack, but, I view Pratts actions as theft, not "theft".

[beelzebub 22,241]

well put sire

first thing that popped into my little vacuum when announced that AFL was after him was >> can they? . He isnt contracted to any team so what power do they stil have to act on him ?

[Redleg 37,831]

SUCH IS LIFE by Whispering Jack

Well done WJ. Caaarton will surely have a new President after yesterday. The AFL is very good at attacking the small fish, they have a history of it.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

well put sire

first thing that popped into my little vacuum when announced that AFL was after him was >> can they? . He isnt contracted to any team so what power do they stil have to act on him ?

Pardon my cynicism but I knew there had to be a reason why the Eagles haven't delisted Cousins just yet. The only way the AFL could charge Cousins and belatedly make an example out of him was if he remained an AFL listed player.

[old55 21,384]

but where's the charge against his former club which allowed this farce to be played out after being warned by the AFL that any more would see it sanctioned with a possible heavy monetary penalty and a loss of draft picks?

Good question, it's conspicuous by its absence. I suspect they're about to be flogged with a wet sponge.

[deanox 8,677]

Pardon my cynicism but I knew there had to be a reason why the Eagles haven't delisted Cousins just yet. The only way the AFL could charge Cousins and belatedly make an example out of him was if he remained an AFL listed player.

due to salary cap issues i believe. if they sack him now they have to pay any contract stuff in this season, not next. im not sure what the deal is with his contract, but if they wait any repercussions won't be felt until next season so they can't be stung for that...

[beelzebub 22,241]

Pardon my cynicism but I knew there had to be a reason why the Eagles haven't delisted Cousins just yet. The only way the AFL could charge Cousins and belatedly make an example out of him was if he remained an AFL listed player.

aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!! lol

thought he had been...my bad !! lol

the thick plottens !!

Despite any stupidity on Cousins part....and he has it in buckets and spades.. It really shows the character of the WCE doesnt it !!

[diesel 420]

Well done WJ. Caaarton will surely have a new President after yesterday. The AFL is very good at attacking the small fish, they have a history of it.

I fear not!

By coming out of the cartel case with no criminal record Pratt will be annointed by Caaarton as a man who can do wrong and get away with it (much like Jack did during his reign there).

The AFL also have no intent to punish those with high profiles or popular stars of the game until they have made the AFL look like absolute fools, as alluded to in WJ's article.

[Little Goffy 12,697]

It's kind of hard to believe that WC would have delisted Cousins due to salary cap issues.

Just how much to they plan on paying Josh Kennedy?

[Sydney Pennski 270]

Re: Pratt

I think you'll find the AFL is limited in dealing with Pratt. Neither he nor Visy had anything to do with the Caaarton Football Club or the AFL when they ripped off the average Aussie punter to the tune of 700 million in coin. I take your point about the fact that this person who has been penalised for a major financial and corporate offence happens to be president of the AFL's most notorious corporate offender and there are direct questions being asked about Judd's salary and his work as environment spokesperson for the organisation and whether members of his family will also get a gig working for the same or related outfits. Incidentally, it must be a real thrill working for this mob (both the footy club and the business) knowing the standard of ethics that's needed to succeed there.

Re: Cousins

Now, he was employed by the WCE when all of his problems took place. I would suggest that if this article in the Australian is correct then the AFL will have its job cut out not penalising the Eagles - Cousins hit with heaviest blow -

The West Coast administration has overseen a culture of drug abuse within its team for years. Officials admit it now.

It appears the club put success ahead of rigorous values. Daniel Kerr, Chad Fletcher, Michael Gardiner, Daniel Chick, Beau Waters, Quinten Lynch, Michael Braun. They have not been saints.

It is believed the West Coast administration was told Cousins had issues with drugs when he was just 18. Fine, but Benny is a very good player. Very good players observe different rules.

The kid was just 18. How old is he now!

[Gorgoroth 12,331]

Pratt should have served time, ripping of the public to 700 mil, well then he should be fined 700 mil and give that to the childrens hospital, I'm sick of the double standards this society throws up.

Andrew D said on Sen pratt has given to charity and the likes over the year, well big freakin deal! he has used the money that he ripped off us to do it with! thats nothing to say the man is charitable, hell if i stole 1 million and gave 100k to a charity does that make me a good person? no it still means i'm a thieving scumbag!

God i hate Pratt, Demitrou and Carltank! The sooner all our out of the AFL the better the world will be.

that's my little rant over

[demonfanjezza 1]

Pratt should have served time, ripping of the public to 700 mil, well then he should be fined 700 mil and give that to the childrens hospital, I'm sick of the double standards this society throws up.

Andrew D said on Sen pratt has given to charity and the likes over the year, well big freakin deal! he has used the money that he ripped off us to do it with! thats nothing to say the man is charitable, hell if i stole 1 million and gave 100k to a charity does that make me a good person? no it still means i'm a thieving scumbag!

God i hate Pratt, Demitrou and Carltank! The sooner all our out of the AFL the better the world will be.

that's my little rant over

Very good rant, i agree with everything c84

[grazman 6,524]

It's unlikely that the AFL will do anything over Pratt, and the Victorian Gaming Commission (I'm not sure of its official title) will probably spare them the embarrassment. It's highly unlikely Pratt will be seen as having the necessary requisites now to hold a gaming licence which means he becomes ineligible to sit on the Caaarton board - unless they get rid of their pokies. He's served his purpose anyway. The AFL is a laughing stock - but that's what happens when you put success ahead of integrity.

[Guest unstable punt]

Nice article Jack, but, I view Pratts actions as theft, not "theft".

Pratt will have to go. if they don't get him out it is hypocrisy of the highest order, but we do know the AFL makes up their own rules so don't be surprised if he's given life membership

[brentnall 0]

the eagles have to be held responsable for this new stuff and should have picks taken from them and a big fine.

Ben asked to be traded to help himself and was told NO bye the eagles they did not want to lose judd and Ben the eagles did nothing to elp him or any otheir player when you have players doing what has been going on over their and you do nothing about it what can you do.

l have young kids at home and we all no that you have to put your foot down to show the way if you let one get away with it then they will all think its ok .

EVER THOUGHT OF WHY CHRIS JUDD SAID THAT AFL PLAYERS SHOULD NOT BE ROLL MODELS

and then left open your eyes yes ben did this to himself but the club that new about it did nothing to

and when asked to trade him to help him get away they said no.

the AFL should take them for all they can .

and Ben you are a great footballer but your days are done .

[ol' Grimey Knackers 0]

So the AFL has decided to charge Ben Cousins with bringing the game into disrepute

Cui bono?

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

The AFL is a laughing stock - but that's what happens when you put success ahead of integrity.

If putting success ahead of integrity is the AFL's stock in trade then what can one say about this ploy?

BLUES PLAN TO SIDESTEP GAMING REGULATIONS TO KEEP PRATT AT HELM

It seems to me that everything I hear about about Caaarton lately is about neatly sidestepping rules and regulations whether it be priority pick rules, the salary cap, signing up Irish kids at 16 and the good old fashioned gaming regulations but just as they got whacked over the head with their salary cap breaches, their day of reckoning will come.

Meanwhile, if a 30 or so year old dumb brat can be brought before the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute because he's sick and on drugs (and I make no excuses for him at all) then surely tanking games to gain priority picks means bringing the game into disrepute big time?

Oh yes of course, Mr. Fonzarelli says no club ever tanks a game for that purpose.

[grazman 6,524]

unless they get rid of their pokies.

I know it's poor form to be quoting oneself.... but who would have thunk it. Greg Gecko and Fat Pratt. I still remember the eighties...vaguely and without much nostalgia. Like you Jack, I'm hoping for the good of the game someone with some kahuna's steps up to the plate. At least Jason McCartney turned them down... I hope for the right reasons.

and for those that believe that all was not necessarily all that it seemed it was with Judd. They've resurrected a thread on BF from the 23rd April where Judd was seen meeting with Pratt and Co...

[grazman 6,524]

I imagine there'd be a couple of people squirming uneasily over their cornflakes this morning. Good to see that at least Trevor Grant isn't afraid to fire some shots across the bow of the AFL.

If the league needs reminding, here's what Samuel thought of Pratt's actions: "Cartels are theft, usually by well-dressed thieves. They are callous, deliberate acts of greed designed to line the pockets of business executives."

Not much equivocation there.

The fact that Demetriou, between 2002 and 2006, was non-executive chairman of a waste management company in which Pratt's company had invested heavily would play no part in any league decision to remain silent.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/com...5E19742,00.html

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

I imagine there'd be a couple of people squirming uneasily over their cornflakes this morning. Good to see that at least Trevor Grant isn't afraid to fire some shots across the bow of the AFL.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/com...5E19742,00.html

Nor is Tim Lane worried about upsetting the Pratt camp even though he supports the Blues - RULES DIFFER FOR PRATT. He puts a very powerful case.

[Little Goffy 12,697]

The AFL 'leadership' has, once again, being completely clueless in it's handling of the issue in general, the specific events which have gained attention, and the interests and welfare of everyone involved.

They have not had a clear idea from the start - at each step they have had to decide their responses on the run because the AFL itself lacks substantial knowledge and keeps responding only to the latest stimulus.

The worst possible executive style, and it reaches into every aspect of the code. How is it that these people have so much job security that they can repeatedly underperform and not face any performance reviews, or simply be sacked?

If I was that bad at a job, I'd quit from the shame of it.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

The AFL 'leadership' has, once again, being completely clueless in it's handling of the issue in general, the specific events which have gained attention, and the interests and welfare of everyone involved.

They have not had a clear idea from the start - at each step they have had to decide their responses on the run because the AFL itself lacks substantial knowledge and keeps responding only to the latest stimulus.

The worst possible executive style, and it reaches into every aspect of the code. How is it that these people have so much job security that they can repeatedly underperform and not face any performance reviews, or simply be sacked?

If I was that bad at a job, I'd quit from the shame of it.

And down the track when the Blues fail they won't even been able to relocate to New Zealand.