It’s a rare and extraordinary case that really only Ben Cousins could find himself in. But then again, to be in intensive care on Monday, released on Tuesday, front the media on Wednesday, and then complete full training on Thursday is quite a week, even by his bizarre standards.
The question now is will this latest drama, whether a mistake or not, be the slip up that costs him his career?
I certainly hope it isn’t, and despite all the speculation, I am willing to accept his explanation of the events that took place.
However, that doesn’t change the fact it happened.
He said himself “once bitten, twice shy”, words that may come back to haunt him if coach Damien Hardwick follows the same philosophy when assessing Cousins’ future at seasons end.
Hardwick’s own belief of team ethos before any individual will weigh heavily on his conscience in making a decision. His position has been clear all along.
Even when Jack Riewoldt bagged 10 goals at the MCG, he didn’t allow his star forward to do any media.
Obviously, being a part of the media, I frowned upon this at the time. But in hindsight, I respect his decision because I can see what he’s trying to do.
For so long, Richmond has had a problem with trust and disunity from within its ranks. And the new regime is trying to build a new culture and direction – both on and off the field.
The problem for Cousins is trouble always seems to find him, sometimes unfairly but always creating a circus and frenzy any club desperately tries to avoid.
It’s going to be intriguing to see if Hardwick and the club now decide enough is enough.
That team ethos is proving to be an important part of the clubs’ stunning turnaround, too. If I had a second favourite team right now, it would definitely be the Tigers.
Everyone has a second favourite team, don’t they?
Anyway, the Richmond revival is tracking well ahead of schedule, and after a winless first nine rounds, the Tigers have won four of their past five matches to lift the club off the bottom of the AFL ladder.
How could you not be excited about jumping Jack Riewoldt, or Ben Nason and his dreadlocks, or the ball wining ability of Dustin Martin?
Finally, the players are showing the passion and heart the clubs’ supporters have been yearning for. The faithful are once again roaring the famous “Yellow and Black” as the team song echoes across the MCG with fervour and pride.
But what will the events of this week do to the momentum and psyche of the players?
Either way, the decision not to play Cousins against Fremantle on Saturday night is a smart move simply because it avoids any further distraction.
You can imagine the headlines – ‘Cousins miracle’ or ‘Comeback Doomed’ – whatever it might be. Regardless of the result, or anything else that happens, it will be front and back page news and the story will be about Cousins and not the team.
For a coach so hell bent on maintaining the team focus, is Cousins far too big an individual to have in your side?
On the flip side, there are many positives to Cousins that would be remiss not to mention.
After an injury interrupted start to the season, his form is finally at a level of consistency that is verging on his hay day. And then there are the benefits of his on-field leadership and mentoring role within the young midfield group.
I’m a Cousins fan.
At least he can laugh at his own predicament: rocking up to training with a coffee in hand, he said, “don’t worry its decaf” – the irony of the situation not lost on him.
But still the whole situation leaves me feeling slightly numb. It’s almost like a draw in AFL, or a penalty shootout in football: no-one really wins and ultimately everyone is left to form their own opinion on who has won.
Short term, Cousins has made a remarkable recovery, but long term you have to wonder just how much damage he’s done to his chances of playing on next season.
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