TonyK
CibbuanoCousins keen to play despite strict conditions
November 19th 2008 06:58
BEN Cousins says he wants to resume his AFL career despite admitting the conditions placed upon his return by the AFL commission are 'very onerous'.
The former West Coast captain will have to agree to and pass three urine tests per week and four hair tests per year if he is to add to his 238 AFL games.
"I am pleased that the AFL Commission yesterday decided to allow me to enter the AFL draft," Cousins said in a statement.
"The conditions imposed on me are very onerous (but) I am looking forward to being drafted and playing football again, which is my love."
Cousins has been given until November 26 to nominate for the November 29 but could wait until the December 16 pre-season draft to nominate.
The 2005 Brownlow medallist also said he was confident that he could cope with the rigours of AFL football.
"I have been undertaking a programme of rehabilitation which will continue," he said.
"I know that I am in a fit and healthy condition and able to undertake the rigours of playing AFL football again and I am very grateful for the ongoing support I have received from the public and especially from those close to me".
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the conditions imposed upon Cousins' return to the game are 'non-negotiable '.
Cousins' manager Ricky Nixon and the AFL Players' Association are furious that Cousins will be tested more than any other player under the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy even though he has never once tested positive to drugs while there are six unnamed AFL players with currently two strikes against their names for testing positive on non match-days to illicit drugs - who are not subject to the extra conditions being placed upon Cousins.
But Demetriou said on Melbourne radio station 3AW that Cousins had nothing to fear from the extra demands from the league provided he was free of drugs.
"These conditions shouldn't worry him or anyone else if he is on track to play football," he said.
The former West Coast captain will have to agree to and pass three urine tests per week and four hair tests per year if he is to add to his 238 AFL games.
"I am pleased that the AFL Commission yesterday decided to allow me to enter the AFL draft," Cousins said in a statement.
"The conditions imposed on me are very onerous (but) I am looking forward to being drafted and playing football again, which is my love."
Cousins has been given until November 26 to nominate for the November 29 but could wait until the December 16 pre-season draft to nominate.
The 2005 Brownlow medallist also said he was confident that he could cope with the rigours of AFL football.
"I have been undertaking a programme of rehabilitation which will continue," he said.
"I know that I am in a fit and healthy condition and able to undertake the rigours of playing AFL football again and I am very grateful for the ongoing support I have received from the public and especially from those close to me".
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the conditions imposed upon Cousins' return to the game are 'non-negotiable '.
Cousins' manager Ricky Nixon and the AFL Players' Association are furious that Cousins will be tested more than any other player under the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy even though he has never once tested positive to drugs while there are six unnamed AFL players with currently two strikes against their names for testing positive on non match-days to illicit drugs - who are not subject to the extra conditions being placed upon Cousins.
But Demetriou said on Melbourne radio station 3AW that Cousins had nothing to fear from the extra demands from the league provided he was free of drugs.
"These conditions shouldn't worry him or anyone else if he is on track to play football," he said.
| 55 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
