just two returners with significant experience -- Kuzma and B

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is uncertain what can be done to help Ben Cousins, saying the fallen stars battle with drug addiction is as bad as ever.McLachlan says the AFL is prepared to help Cousins in any way - but hes just not sure how.He (Cousins) has had a terrible struggle for a number of years now and I understand that at the moment it is as bad as ever, McLachlan told reporters in Perth on Thursday.Drug addiction is a huge challenge for the community.We will do whatever we can. Part of the issue is what to do is not evident.But be very clear: the AFL will take on whatever role we can to help Ben.We are in a much better place to have the right type of relationships (with clubs) and to understand the issues.McLachlan arrived in Perth for a visit coinciding with West Coasts celebrations of its 2006 premiership victory, which some say is tainted because of off-field drug issues suffered by some of the Eagles premiership-winners.Earlier this week, Cousins was collected by police after he was reportedly directing traffic on a busy Perth road.The Bronwlow medallist and former Eagles captain was incoherent and was taken to hospital for observation before being released.Responding to recent comments from Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett that the AFL gave him an inquisition, rather than assistance, when he initially sought help for Cousins, rather than any assistance, McLachlan said the AFL had come a long way in the past decade.McLachlans visit to Perth coincides with West Coasts celebrations of its 2006 premiership victory, which some say is tainted because of off-field drug issues affecting some of the Eagles premiership-winners.McLachlan said he believed the Eagles side that beat Sydney in the 2006 grand final was a well-coached, strong-running and great AFL team.Clearly there are some individuals who have had significant challenges since. That is clearly disappointing on a number of fronts, he said.But I dont believe it takes anything away from the merit and significance of the win.Dennis Cook Jersey . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Lewis Brinson Jersey . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/891r-jay-powell-jersey-marlins.html .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Russ Morman Jersey . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. Martin Prado Jersey . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal.SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah has three players that hail from the state of Michigan and the trio made all the difference against UC Riverside.We just have a little grit to ourselves and we always try and play hard. We get after it, Kyle Kuzma (Flint, Michigan) said.Lorenzo Bonam (Inkster, Michigan) scored a career-high 21 points and Kuzma added 18 to help Utah run past the Highlanders 85-67 on Friday night.Even freshman wing Devon Daniels (Battle Creek, Michigan) got into the act with 14 points and 11 rebounds and sneaked a dig on Kuzma during the post-game press conference.Yep, me and `Zo are pretty tough but I dont know about Koozy, Daniels said with a laugh.Freshman center Jayce Johnson scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Utes, who had a 32-point advantage in points scored in the paint.Chance Murray had 17 points and backcourt mate Dikymbe Martin added 15 for the Highlanders (1-3), who were tied with the Utes at 21 midway through the first half. The Highlanders converted 10 of their 21 3-point attempts.Our guards played incredible but Utahs length just really bothered us at the rim, UCR coach Dennis Cutts said.JoJo Zamora hit a 3-pointer to start an 11-0 run that ended shortly before halftime -- the Highlanders struggled to find the lanes that had been available earlier in the game while the Utes started following any misses with putbacks.We just got stops, that was the biggest thing, Kuzma said. Because then we can run and score in transition. That was our mindset for the rest of the game.Utah (4-0) used a 10-0 run that bridged the halves to extend its advantage to 54-34 and coasted from there. To cap the surge, Daniels took a pass from Parker Van Dyke and made a layup with 17:08 to play.Thats how I play. I just attack my opponent . I go hard tto the rim, Daniels said.ddddddddddddhough the Highlanders couldnt get closer than 15 points down the stretch, they kept Utahs starters in the game until the final minutes, much longer than they played previously this season.BIG PICTUREUC Riverside: Before the game, Cutts said he hopes these tough early games pay dividends in Big West Conference play, where the Highlanders are picked to finish seventh. Despite the lopsided results, he said his players are a confident bunch and are learning game by game.Utah: After the Utes won their first three games by an average of 43 points, the Highlanders provided more resistance and presented a bit more size. With just two returners with significant experience -- Kuzma and Bonam -- the Utes scheduled to avoid any heavyweights before facing Butler next Monday. Thats when Utah will test just how well its young team has gelled.STAT OF THE NIGHTThe Utes dominated the rebounding tally 49-32, including 17 offensive boards. Bonam had a career-best 10 rebounds.REFERENCE POINTTwo years ago, the Highlanders lost to Utah 88-42. We use this game as a reference point of how hard to play and how to play the right way. Well refer to this all year long, Cutts said.Murray added, We came with the right mindset and we played hard. Wed like to have played a bit better but I like the direction were headed.UP NEXTUC Riverside continues its road-heavy start to the season with a trip to UCLA on Wednesday.Utah will host Butler on Monday, essentially the Utes first formidable opponent of the season. The Bulldogs have won their first six games, including a 69-65 win over No. 8 Arizona on a neutral court Friday night. ' ' '