For or Against? - Cousins Captaincy of the Eagles

Christopher O'Leary asks you, the reader, whether Ben Cousins should continue as captain of the West Coast Eagles.

What do you get when the captain of Western Australia’s most powerful sporting establishment shrieks at the sight of a booze bus?

Trouble, it seems.

On February 12 West Coast Eagles’ skipper Ben Cousins was driving home from a friends’ wedding when he caught sight of a breath-testing unit set up on Canning Highway. Panicking, Cousins and a friend abandoned his Mercedes before police chased after him.

The Sunday Herald Sun reported that Cousins’ friends believed he was under the limit, but they said that he ran because he feared another embarrassing public incident involving the police. Cousins and former ruckman Michael Gardiner were caught up in a WA underworld shooting last year.

In terms of criminal charges Cousins will receive a slap on the wrist, but he may lose the captaincy judging by how much steam he has created down at Subiaco. In terms of charges made by SportsAustralia.com’s dedicated readership ... well, that’s up to you.

Here are some arguments for and against Cousins remaining as captain of the West Coast Eagles. If you have points of your own then send them through the feedback section along with your verdict, a name and a town/state/country that you call home.

FOR

Gun captain. Cousins leads by example when he is on the field. He was the Brownlow medallist by a considerable margin, and is an integral and inspiring part of a midfield that would rival Brisbane’s fab four if they ever taste Premiership glory.

Me speak English? Despite Cousins’ off field antics his Brownlow acceptance speech showed him to be an articulate straight shooter that holds himself in the public eye when he is required. This is a plus when a club wishes to maintain its credibility in society.

AGAINST

Who flees a booze bus? A very desperate public figure it seems. Cousins holds a position in society where silly souls don’t last unless they’re careful of their actions. He is a Brownlow medallist, a captain of five years, and a man already on his final warning.

We’ve all been there, the thought of being behind the wheel and wondering whether we were fit to drive. Cousins did not want to take the risk of blowing over the limit, but perhaps he should not have been behind the wheel in the first place.

How many lives does one cat get? Cousins’ liaison with WA criminal figures last year was big news that hurt both him and the club. The Eagles board last year said that the skipper could not afford another mistake after the incident, and winning the Brownlow and the Grand Final berth certainly gave him brownie points, but should such credentials now hold Cousins in good stead?

Ask Warnie. Cousins will lose the captaincy if the handling of past sportsmen discretions are anything to go by. Shane Warne relinquished the Test vice-captaincy after the English nurse on the phone scandal, while Gary Ablett was a constant dilemma with AFL Hall of Fame selectors.

Most believe that in this politically correct world you cannot just kick or throw a ball, but that you need to set an example for fans. In this case, Cousins may have a problem.

Club credibility? Perth’s Sunday Times called for Cousins’ head for the good of the club. It wrote yesterday that the Eagles had "no other acceptable option than to sack him" as "it will seriously erode the club's credibility and send the wrong message to the rest of the players".

It also pointed out that Cousins is not a young man anymore, and that maturity is a pre-requisite for leading your club onto the football field.

Get Judd in. This may be the chance for: A) the young superstar to show his leadership qualities and; B) to keep him from settling back in Melbourne in the near future.

Last week’s For or Against was the start of much public deliberation over `adopted Aussie’ sportsmen. Sonia O’Sullivan came out last Monday and said she received no short cuts into the Commonwealth Games track and field squad – and that even she was unsure whether she would run for Ireland in August’s European Championships – while Canuck expat Dale Begg Smith won winter Olympic gold for the sunburnt country.

While most media coverage this week largely supported athletes who want to be successful for the green and gold, Caroline from Ireland was particularly scathing on O’Sullivan’s move.

She wrote that "Australia is welcome to her, she is well past her sell by date" and that she doesn’t "know what Bideau sees in her, or is that stating the blatantly obvious??"

Harsh, but that’s an opinion she’s entitled to.

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