Ben Cousins of Richmond looks on during the AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images
With a decision looming on the future of Ben Cousins, the way the Tigers have been dealing with the issue in the past fortnight suggests the club might have already made up its mind.
Ultimately when you weigh up all the positives and negatives he has to offer, to me, the probability seems to fall in his favour, but in taking a closer look at recent events, perhaps the club is leaning towards ending his controversial career, not prolonging it any further.
The imminent release of his documentary isn’t working in his favour.
The Tigers would be slightly concerned about its contents and how it might end up reflecting on the club. Not to mention the distraction and frenzy it has the potential to create both in the build up to its release and in the aftermath as well.
Its understood Richmond CEO Brendan Gale has seen a rough cut of the documentary and remains somewhat nervous about it being shown on primetime TV.
Coach Damien Hardwick said he hadn’t seen the documentary but
“It is something that we at some stage would like to show our playing group.” He said yesterday
Hmmm, at some stage, like maybe when Cousins has left the club?
But then again if he plays on for another year, wouldn’t the producers be keen on documenting his final year? What if he relapsed? Surely the story isn’t complete until he retires from football?
This might be his saving grace if you’ll pardon the pun and could work well to appease both parties if he was to re-sign for one last chapter.
2010 couldn’t have been scripted any better, like his career, it had all the drama of a soap opera and the media and the general public once again followed his life like a gripping TV series.
When he was rushed to hospital unconsciousness a month ago the automatic conclusion most people quickly jumped to was that he had relapsed, however the club and then Cousins later revealed, he had a reaction to a prescription drug and not an overdose at all.
All great drama yes, but seriously, for a bloke trying to keep his nose clean this isn’t going to sit well with Richmond.
How many other AFL players have ended up in intensive care this season under suspicious circumstances?
He seems to be a victim of the wrong place at the wrong time far too often.
Involved in a drunken night at a Sydney hotel earlier in the year, Cousins who protested he wasn’t drunk, had to use physical force to restrain an intoxicated team-mate.
More unwanted attention at Punt Road.
It has to be said of course the Tigers knew what they were getting themselves into and for the most part I think they have managed, massaged and responded extremely well to the hysteria and incidents that have occurred throughout his time at Tigerland.
But now Cousins is a year older and after another season of hysteria and focus on his every move, you cant help but wonder if the club might say, OK, enough is enough and its time we move on without the Cousins distraction.
Interestingly Richmond has asked their players to tow the club line when it comes to questions about his future, Brett Deledio said “I don’t have an opinion on that, I’m just going to say what the club has told me to say and that’s no comment”
This comes after several Richmond players publicly declared their support for Cousins to play on for another year, maybe now the club has realised the ground swell of public opinion is well and truly favouring Cousins to play on, and for fear of a major backlash if they do decide to cut him lose, they have quickly closed ranks to avoid any further damage being done.
Hardwick has publicly always been a huge supporter of Cousins and while this week he again wouldn’t be drawn on the issue, his comments last week hinted he too might be trying to prepare the football public for a tough decision.
He said the proposed capping of interchange rotations from next season would potentially affect his decision on Cousins future, because a player of his age requires more time on the bench to recover.
But hang on a minute, when was the last time a player retired or was denied a contract because of a rule change?
Surely he can still find 7 interchange rotations for Ben Cousins even if rotations are capped.
Maybe, just maybe, this was another subtle way of telling the Tigers faithful that Cousins wont be playing in the yellow and black next season?
Working in his favour is of course Cousins talent and ability as a player, when he has managed to have an injury free or incident free run at it this season his form easily warrants another contract.
He’s also taken on a mentoring role with a number of the Tigers younger players, whilst being a great communicator out on the ground Cousins has become a real general in the midfield with the way he instructs and directs his teammates into position at the stoppages.
You can’t buy his football knowledge and experience, but will the Tigers end up paying the ultimate price if they keep him?
Is he simply too much of a distraction?
Right now as it stands, despite public sentiment, I’d say Richmond believe he’s not worth the risk of another season.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
The AFL has confirmed the right decision was made after a ball ricocheted off a boundary umpire's leg during the third quarter of Melbourne's…
A touching moment for the Demons star with Jacob Hopper.
There's an old saying that you should never argue with an idiot, because they'll drag you down to their level and then beat you…
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron has been handed a one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Jake Lever during the Lions' Thursday night win over…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
