Reported on #AW he will not be eligible for the draft until 2009.

Reported on #AW he will not be eligible for the draft until 2009.

I think that's fair, but I doubt whether he will ever get back. I question whether he can commit to keeping himself fit over the next 12 months and, at his age, I doubt if any clubs will be interested in an "unfit" 30-31 year old regardless of talent.

Any mention if he can train with a AFL club for the year?

Although this ban will probably be best for him with regards to his problem, I don't understand what he's done in order to bring the game into disrepute.

If he has had all his charges dropped then what has he done wrong? If the police were to arrest any given player they want based on something that they didn't do, then how is that the player's fault? Isn't it the police force that's bringing the game into disrepute?

Bens an idiot and deserves to never play again. Hes a very very talanted player with no brain

What a total w@nk !! honestly.. He's either guilty..or he's not. cant wait to see what they deal out to Pratt !! do we hold our breath ??

Ben is without doubt a total air head.. but he's not actually been convicted of anything.. ( god knows how !! lol )..but we know hes really just a very naughty boy. More fool any club that picks up a 30 yo basket case..but thats another issue.

Why did the AFL commission [censored] everyone round for 8 hours when everyone essentially pre-knew the outcome ??

this is just a waste of pixels and bytes.. a total joke from start to finish; such is the way of the AFL !!!

Interesting that the AFL abruptly ended the press conference as soon as someone asked a question about Dick Pratt.

Wonder if he can play WAFL in 2008?

as we all expected...the AFL is too weak to get rid of him...i understand that hes got a problem and a possible return to football could be the best possible motivation he could receive, but he has let everybody down. if ppl get fired from their jobs because of a drug addiction, they are on their own...it is a tough world...how many bloody chances are we gonna give cousins...i mean what if he made one of his famous comebacks for say sydney, he would last a year, retire and then bang....what do i do now???

I can't see him ever playing again. Would be quite a gamble for a club to pick him up for the 2009 season, match fitness and age wise.

I can't see him ever playing again. Would be quite a gamble for a club to pick him up for the 2009 season, match fitness and age wise.

All depends on what he does next year - may not be such a huge gamble, who knows.

I think it will be hard for benny now. i mean wasnt aker supposed to be coming back full of fire and fully fit after 8 months or so out of the game. Hasnt worked for him. He just hasnt looked in touch at all.

Any mention if he can train with a AFL club for the year?

Yeah that was asked and no he can't.

It does appear he can play WAFL or VFL or whatever, so he'll be match fit for 09 if he makes it back.

Although this ban will probably be best for him with regards to his problem, I don't understand what he's done in order to bring the game into disrepute.

If he has had all his charges dropped then what has he done wrong? If the police were to arrest any given player they want based on something that they didn't do, then how is that the player's fault? Isn't it the police force that's bringing the game into disrepute?

I don't see why Cousins' would have to be convicted of a criminal offence to have brought the game into disrepute. For mine the fact that he is a drug addict and that he openly associates with drug dealers is enough. It is the right decison from the AFL and for him.

Im hoping Andy Lovell gives him a call and we get him down to Sandy. And im not being sarcastic at all in case you were thinking that.

They don't muck around in the cricket world.

Warriors ban Pomersbach for a month

"Western Australia have dealt heavy blows to two of their star batsmen, and to their own Pura Cup chances, by suspending Luke Pomersbach and Shaun Marsh until next month. Pomersbach has been ruled out for two Pura Cup and two FR Cup matches while Marsh will miss only one of each."

These blokes are on fire and yet they have the balls to suspend them for breaking team rules by getting [censored]. The footy world is agonising about a 12 month suspension for someone who's an addict.

I don't see why Cousins' would have to be convicted of a criminal offence to have brought the game into disrepute. For mine the fact that he is a drug addict and that he openly associates with drug dealers is enough. It is the right decison from the AFL and for him.

If my memory serves me correctly, didn't the AFL bring upon the charge of bringing the game into disrepute before everything was reported about him going missing in the states? I always thought that the AFL charge was based on the Cousins arrest, which he was later on had thrown out. The only thing that I can think of that could have brought the game into disrepute was that he went missing and was later alleged to having to go to hospital in America.

I always thought that the AFL charge was based on the Cousins arrest, which he was later on had thrown out. The only thing that I can think of that could have brought the game into disrepute was that he went missing and was later alleged to having to go to hospital in America.

No. The AFL charge was not solely based on the Cousins arrest. But it helped.

I think his US episode only validates the AFL decision more. Its not alleged that he went to a hospital. He was in a hospital following a 5 day cocaine binge.

No. The AFL charge was not solely based on the Cousins arrest. But it helped.

I think his US episode only validates the AFL decision more. Its not alleged that he went to a hospital. He was in a hospital following a 5 day cocaine binge.

I think you will find that part is alleged.

I think you will find that part is alleged.

Statement made by his female partner during that 5 day binge who advised 911 emergency staff as to what had caused. He must have been in a bad way.

Check the article its not alleged. Ben Cousins should sue if its not correct.

http://news.realfooty.com.au/cousins-dodge...71120-1bni.html

Its only for the fact that Cousins is 10,000 miles away that he is not facing a minor durgs charge in the US.