The Cousins Doco Wash Up Post by: Dan The Internut 25 August, 2010 - 6:35 AM

(Source: Channel Seven)

Troubled AFL star Ben Cousins' well publicised issues with drug use and bad behaviour was put on show in lurid detail, in his channel 7 documentary debut.

Executive Producer of the doco, music industry legend Michael Gudinski, promised a raw insight into Cousins' life, and that's certainly what we got. Cousins' glittering early footy career descended into chaos as his substance abuse issues overtook his achievements on the footy field, culminating in arrests and a 12 month ban from the game. The new doco zeroed in on these moments like never before.

"When all the trouble really started, he documented and filmed hours and hours of footage with a couple of friends of his, and kept rolling," Gudinski said.

"What that's meant is that it lives through when he was banned from football, through the different injuries, through the different confrontations with the police," Gudinski continued. 

"What you've got here is real footage, which is very unusual - in most of these situations, you try and re-enact, and re-do, whereas this is straight from the horse's mouth ... How he could maintain his football career through some of those years, and win a Brownlow and win a premiership, makes it even more amazing," Gudinksi added.

Did you watch it? Has your opinion of Cousins changed, for better or worse?

Leave your comment

• Cathy says

  Enough of this Sh........ the money making the doco could have been better spent on more rehab places. What about the parent/s who have a kid going pyscho at 2am would be nice if they had the money to get IMMEDIATE help instead of the help line giving you a # to ring during office hrs and then to be told there is a wait list. Ben should be nobodies hero - only his own if he ca stay clean

  Posted Wednesday 25 August, 2010 10:53 AM
• AndySamuels says

  Ben has a much coveted mindset, yes that of a winner - success. His determination is fierce. Ben needs to remember that he alone creates his world. Push aside the ridicule & pressure and seek another outlet, one where he can just be himself, laugh & feel good for all he has achieved, right or wrong.

  http://andysamuels.com

  Posted Friday 27 August, 2010 8:29 AM
• Tracy Ward says

  If Ben was in a different Country eg England he would have been back page news for a week, if that, and his news would have been wrapping up someones fish & chips within two weeks. Perth is such a small town that is why it has been carrying on for so long and has made head line news. So what, hundreds of families have family members who are Addicted to drugs and they are going through the same story, its only because Ben is a AFL player & a popular sports person that this is being blown out of proportion. He is no different from any other person suffering from this disease drug addiction, they just need to know they have a support network out there for them. Just leave Ben alone to recover with his family, if he was a knowbody the media would not give a @#$%. One thing I didn't really like about this program was the fact they showed Ben with his ice pipe and doing lines of coke on the table, they could have blanked these items out like they did with some of the faces. Good Luck with your future Ben it is going to be hard for you, maybe you could become an ambassador and go around to schools and educate our future about the dangers of using drugs

  Posted Friday 27 August, 2010 10:59 AM
• lesley says

  Ben had to much money at such a young age, he had no private life, I have supported him all the way and hope to God he can stay on the straight and narrow.

  Posted Friday 27 August, 2010 11:56 AM
• paul sharland says

  i was one of those people who was quick to judge when Ben's problem first came to our attention, I watched the Ben Cousins story with my 15 year old, on 7 and I would like to apologize to Ben for giving up on him and judging him so harshly. His courage , honesty and his confession that "HE"was the one responsible for his illness, was inspiring . I know he will beat this and hope that all the young people affected by drugs will learn something from him. THANK YOU BEN COUSINS AND THE COUSINS FAMILY FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVADE YOUR PRIVACY. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

  Posted Friday 27 August, 2010 12:02 PM
• Sue Bell says

  I feel that it must have taken alot of courage to show the world Ben "Such is Life" it is a tragic that in 2010 that the AFL/Clubs dont have in place safety nets to protect our players.
  To watch Ben play footy and put his whole body into the game is a thrilling and electrifying experience not to mention entertaining for us sitting on the side lines . We wish him all the best and hope he learns to live with his addicition "one day at a time" we need to support the man at this time. After watching the documentary I hope that people young and old can understand how harsh it is to get involved in drugs take care Ben you have travelled a rough road and hopefully it has given you wisdom and courage to go forward to do bigger and better things until a ripe old age you are a living legend to us and always will be. Nothing will prove impossible for you . The Bell Family x

  Posted Friday 27 August, 2010 12:41 PM
• Liz says

  My husband and i thought it was a brilliant doco. it capture the truth of what happened to ben. It was very honest of ben to do this, and just maybe people will starting notes that No one is perfect - we are all human, We all make mistakes. We wish Ben all the very best and hope for his sake that he stays clean. I just hope that the children of today can learn something from this and as a parent we look for the signs of the start of drug use.

  Posted Friday 27 August, 2010 1:02 PM