such is life

i've only heard and read some excerpts from the interview ben cousins gave to fox sports recently but it's been very interesting. obviously the excerpts making headlines are to do with his infamous drug addiction. he tells of how he experienced considerable paranoia and felt that the afl was out to get him. obviously this wasn't the case and presumably he realises this now. he also spoke of how he wants to continue playing on with richmond next season and i hope he's able to do so. i've never been a fan of ben but i'm glad to see him overcome his problems and i really hope he's able to stay on top of his issues for the long haul. there's no doubt he was a very talented player and it's a shame he won't be remembered solely as such.

what really surprised me is that the interviewers were honest and brave enough to broach the subject of the common perception that the 2006 flag won by the weagles has been tainted by the revelation of significant drug use within the club during that season. unsurprisingly cousins is quick to state that he doesn't believe it is. well, i'm sorry ben but the reality you'll have to live with is there's a lot of unbiased people (ie. non weagle supporters) who will always see the 2006 flag as having been very tainted by the exploits of you and a number of your team mates and will continue to treat it with significant disrespect. i'm afraid that is one of the prices you'll have to pay.