JOHN Worsfold has denied claims by Brisbane coach LeighMatthews that West Coast treated the match against the Lions as a practice gameand an opportunity to ease former skipper Ben Cousins back into football.

Matthews said that the expected return ofCousins after just one serious training session gave the impression that thehosts thought they simply had to turn up to win.

"Ithought the Eagles looked like they were treating it like a practice game,"Matthews said.  

“I couldn’t for thelife of me think … and I know the circumstances around Ben are different - let'sface it, it’s a first … but for the life of me, you come and train for onesession and go and play senior footy?

"That’s whyblokes train for five months over the summer, so that to me seemed like theythought they were just going to win it, and therefore it didn’t matter if Benplayed, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, it was just a good opportunity toget him playing again.

“And I sort of sensedthat a little bit."

West Coast coach Worsfold was havingnone of it.

"We didn't treatthis game any different to any other game, and we never would," he said.

"So if for somereason Leigh's formed that perception – and that's fine, that's Leigh'sprerogative – but for us, our preparation was as normal and we were very keento come out and play our best.

"We were far short of that, but eventhen, you get what you deserve in this game.

"We certainly didn't enjoy the challenge."

Worsfold said the speculation surroundingCousins in the lead-up had no effect on the team.

"I'd have to say zero, because hewasn't out on the ground and 22 players went out to play.

"It should have absolutely zeroinfluence on it."

Worsfold made it clear that he wouldn't berushing Cousins back into selection contention, saying he would probably missthe next three weeks, which would put him in the frame for a return in the Westernderby.

“Ben's – as far as I can gather - going tobe unavailable for three games.

“He wouldn't have done anything differenteven if he wasn't playing this week. Yesterday's was the lightest session ofthe week, he did the warm-up and had a kick.

"I doubt he would have done anythingdifferent in the buildup to playing the following week. That's justfacts."