afl boss, page-13

I think the issue is....aspiring athletic kids may think, wow look at Andrew Johns, Ben Cousins, Wendell Sailor etc and how much they have achieved on field....and taken illicit drugs - - many may feel they can do so themselves without adverse consequences.

It probably didn't help one iota that Cousins comeback game was a ripper.

Alan,

I think you have presented another issue there and that issue has never been dealt with properly either.

It has been proven over may years, with many sports people, with many substances which deteriorate performance, that sports people can play well whilst under those influences. There are many examples of this, and we are hearing of more and more every day.

As sportsman or sports people, we learn and develop so many or our skills at such a young age. These skills and the majority of this development has taken place way before these guys would know about or even contemplate alcohol or drugs. In other words the majority of sports people have acquired their skills from an early age and then they meet up with the drug issue and other social issues later in life.


Once you have reached the standard of a ben cousins, Andrew Johns, George Best's skill set and fitness level, it is proved that you dont just lose your fitness level or your skill set over night.

This is why so many of the greats that have had issues are able to play at such a high level and maintain that level for so long.

You cant tell a kid, dont take drugs because you will never be able to perform at the top, because its proved that you can.
However, they do need to be made aware of the implications and consequences and how it can and will impact on their lives at some point.

There are many issues surrounding this at the moment and you have touched on another very good point.


cheers