Cousins brought the game into disrepute and, as the commissioners yesterday continued to remind themselves, was charged with conduct unbecoming. It was not just the drugs. It was the lies, the constant running away and finally, where the AFL and West Coast was concerned, that dreadful morning last spring in Northbridge, Perth, when Cousins was arrested and filmed topless and seedy being led into custody. Those shots rebounded all the way to France where Demetriou and Fitzpatrick were meeting Irish football officials.

Cousins made life tough for the AFL. Now he has re-emerged, splashed across the media as football's biggest story and, while the commission knew it had no choice but to give him a second chance, it will continue to make life tough for him.

But there was more to it than that when Fitzpatrick's nine-member board lifted his suspension. "This wasn't easy," said the chairman. "We not only put ourselves in the position as custodians of the game, but as parents and members of the community who deal with the complexity of our current social issues. As custodians of our great game, the commission believes it must always balance the individual interests of players with the broad expectations of the community about the integrity of our game."

The AFL has covered itself and it can also claim it has protected those younger players who could rub shoulders with Cousins next season. Demetriou warned that any club that took Cousins would be taking a risk.

The problem for him, of course, is whether any club will regard him as worth the effort. Quite apart from the distraction of the drug testing and the mechanisms St Kilda must now ensure are in place in terms of its drugs and alcohol policy, the Saints would also be considering the morale damage that would come with a positive drug test or another truancy.

Brisbane believes the Saints have already come close to reaching a deal with the player and remain concerned at the damage he could inflict upon their club, which has greater obligations in a non-traditional AFL market. Interestingly, no other club has emerged as being remotely interested in drafting Cousins. Collingwood believes the AFL don't truly want him to play.

Less than a fortnight ago, his stress levels had him at close to breaking point. Now, at least where the competition's governing body is concerned, Cousins knows where he stands.

But if St Kilda's board shares the enthusiasm of its players — or at least sanctions his return — and if Cousins himself is fair dinkum about fighting his addiction in the workplace he once controlled so majestically — then he will rise above the conditions laid before him and embrace them.

Then again, he might decide it is all too hard. And run away again.