'Needs to be in jail': Footy greats condemn Ben Cousins
A number of AFL greats have spoken out about Ben Cousins’ latest charges, saying the fallen premiership star needs to be locked up.
Cousins is likely to spend at least the next two months behind bars after being refused bail on Wednesday amid accusations he threatened to kill his ex-partner.
The 40-year-old drug addict was arrested on Tuesday at a Canning Vale house and was allegedly found with 13 grams of methylamphetamine hidden in his anus.
‘REALLY SAD’: Nick Riewoldt reveals ‘bizarre’ run-in with Ben Cousins
On Wednesday he was charged with 16 offences including aggravated burglary, aggravated stalking and possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply.
The most shocking charges related to Cousins repeatedly breaching a violence restraining order taken out by his ex-partner Maylea Tinecheff.
On Thursday, AFL greats Garry Lyon and Tim Watson said there was only one place for Cousins – prison.
“He needs to be in jail,” Lyon said.
“I know we can have sympathy for them, but when you’re threatening partners for their lives and you have 13 grams of meth… I don’t want to say where it was, with intent to sell or supply and you consider his history and having not been out of jail long, it’s sadly where he needs to be.
“Don’t for a second think this stops at Ben Cousins. So many people are affected by this. His family. His ex-partner, if what we read is true, it’s just horrendous what is happening to her, and then there’s young children involved as well, so it’s just a terrible, terrible situation.
“When you read the stuff about his kids, he needs to be in jail. It’s just incredibly sad.”
Essendon legend Watson added: “It’s one thing to be self destructive, but when you start to be destructive and you tear apart a family in a physical sense then there is only one place for you.”
Former Richmond teammate Matthew Richardson said he couldn’t believe the new charges relating to Cousins’ ex-partner.
“It’s just incredibly sad,” Richardson told 3AW on Wednesday.
“When I heard it today I felt upset. To see the situation that Ben’s found himself in again, it’s just horrible. Addiction is horrible. I really can’t believe it.”
Collingwood great Tony Shaw took to social media to condemn Cousins, speaking out against the sympathy being shown for the Brownlow medallist.
Ben Cousins. How many chances. He is a criminal selling to others who might die! If not jailed we are sending a horrible message that celebrity is treated differently.
— Tony Shaw (@TonyShaw22) August 22, 2018
And he wasn’t alone.
With all the awareness and rightful condemnation of domestic violence it's odd that Ben Cousins gets such a sympathetic treatment from so many in the media.
— Anthony Leach (@ahleach) August 22, 2018
And then, like Dracula, Ben Cousins rises again. People are focused on the drug bust. I'm more concerned about the breach of domestic violence orders tbh
— Chris Barrett (@selga55) August 22, 2018
Most Australians follow Ben Cousins' horrible story with popcorn/faux-solemn tweets about "how sad" it is. Meanwhile, sensible drug policy has been trialled and proven elsewhere and is right there, ready to save his life and lives of thousands of others like him. @AlexWodak
— Peter C Christie (@pcc_christie) August 22, 2018
Can we have a discussion about why the media seems focused on discussing Ben Cousins' drug issues, yet there seems to be some black hole when it comes to the consistent breaches of family violence orders? #BenCousins
— KateOnTheGo (@KateOnTheGo) August 22, 2018
Meanwhile, an unnamed friend of Cousins claims the former West Coast player tried to get hold of his 2005 Brownlow Medal and sell it, but his father Bryan kept it from him.
“He tried to sell his Brownlow … but he doesn’t even have it. His dad has the Brownlow in safekeeping,” the friend told News Corp on Thursday.
“He said he needed it to guarantee a bank loan, but why would he need a bank loan? He doesn’t have any property, he doesn’t have a business.”
with AAP