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.
Karlos
Guest
Ironic for sure. I don't think 000 ring the media do they? Who did?
Karlos
Guest
No, just beer and rum.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
How ironic - overdosing on 'sleeping tablets' is a "wake up call" for Cousins. :) AFL have Cousins under their radar all right. When his girlfriend found him unconscious, she didn't call 000 emergency - she rang the Richmond Club, as per AFL instructions in order to help keep it out of the media. It was the Richmond team doctor who called for the ambulance to take Cousins to the hospital. What if Cousins died because the ambulance didn't get there in time?
Brett McKay
Guest
a mate who has a regular bet has just told me Port have shortened from $5 into $3 since the announcement, so they obviously agree too...
Justin Rodski
Guest
ha ha...there's no doubt news is heading down a more current affairs path, and yes Danni, Lindsay and Ben made the first break on all the networks, its a sign of the times in many ways but in the end its all theatre isn't it? The Collingwood hierarchy would be less than pleased with the Choco news that's for sure, but at least it makes what would have been a relatively boring game a hell of a lot more interesting
Brett McKay
Guest
time to adjust some tips then Justin - Sacked Coach Syndrome cannot be argued with!! I agree with you on your Cousins point, by the way, I just wonder sometimes if that line between what's really news and what's news because it's Ben Cousins doesn't come into play anymore. Mind you if Dannii Minogue's baby and Lindsay Lohan getting jailed can make our nightly news bulletins before the first ad break, then so can Cousins I guess....
Justin Rodski
Guest
Unfortunately brett when your a recovering drug addict and have served a 12 months suspension from the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute, and then you end up in intensive care its going to be news. I agree it would be great to just let him get on with it, but he made the bed and now must sleep in it. There are always going to be rumours and people wanting to shoot him down so now he has 7 games to play good footy and keep out of trouble. On another note...Port Adelaide is set to sack Mark Williams, what a waste of year after they chose re-sign him last season despite obvious fractions and disunity at the club. He'll be at GWS within a month
Redb
Roar Guru
This is why the media can't let go, Cousin's history dogs his every move and everyone thinks the worst.
Redb
Roar Guru
Brett, Cousins makes news in Sydney also,. Go to the DT AFL page and theres 3 stories about Cousins today rather than articles on the Swannies or GWS. Its old news but Cousins profile and infamy travels far.
Brett McKay
Guest
Justin without directing this at you per se, if 'the media' let Cousins just get on with it, then yeah, he probably can save his career. Not even Dannii bloody Minogue could top the Cousins coverage in Melbourne this week, good thing nothing actually newsworthy happened....
Michael C
Roar Guru
surely that's just ridiculous (that opinion, not your reporting of it) - - he's being tested about 3 times a week as a normal activity to be able to play full stop. It's not as if the AFL made it easy for him to return and are not likely to 'stand by him' should he relapse. It was clear to all that the AFL were pretty displeased with him and despite having not tested positive (that we know of) he was put on a testing program that one looks at and wonders why Freo's Michael Johnson isn't on something similar? Over here on the radio - - there's still a lot of Richmond fans who love what he's brought to the table for them. However, never let the grapevine of a country WA pub be discounted completely!!!! Did they have any tips for the Brownlow???? ;-)
Karlos
Guest
Went to a country pub in wa for a couple days and even Richmond fans had their knives out for Benny. The consensus there was they didn't believe Cousins, Richmond or the AFL and the reason Cousions went to hospital was to get his stomach pumped so the drugs he took couldn't be traced and that was why he was asking to be tested.
Michael C
Roar Guru
wagons appear to be circling, reality is - the sooner he finishes up, the sooner the documentary can be final cut and released.