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It was almost a fairytale finish to the brilliant, controversial and at times bizarre career of Ben Cousins. For all the drama surrounding his drug battles and the soap opera that has become his life, ultimately Cousins should be remembered as a champion of the game.
Many will think of him as nothing more than a spoiled brat, a star footballer with a drug addiction and a contemptuous attitude.
But in my mind he’ll be leaving the game with his dignity well and truly in tact.
While his fall from grace has been as big as any in Australian sporting history, his recovery and comeback is of even greater significance.
His compelling and confronting documentary sparked widespread debate, and provided a small insight into his mostly private but at times very public battle with drugs.
In a way for me, if anything, it humanised Ben Cousins and separated him from his perhaps obnoxious actions he often portrays in public.
This was as much a story about an individual as it was about the values of family in Australian society.
The love and support of the Cousins family and in particular his dad Brian was gratifying.
At his retirement press conference Brian was almost lost in the crowd, but Ben made sure he singled him out on several occasions.
And so he should have, his Dad basically saved his life.
Cousins has had many a polished performance on the field. Off it though, his retirement press conference was among his best.
The final two weeks of his troubled career was refreshingly well handled by both the club and Ben himself.
Inevitably the usual media frenzy followed his every move but such is life for Ben Cousins.
Ironically a hamstring injury threatened to spoil his chance of a fitting farewell, but in reality and in true Cousins style, the injury merely became part of the theatre.
At his final training session he was the last to arrive on the track, and, after a short handballing session, the first to leave.
His final hours were to be on his terms.
At the game yesterday even Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse wished him well before the match.
Its not every day you get a coach of an opposition side in the rooms, but this is the affect Ben Cousins has on people.
He has an addictive personality.
Cousins then led the team out onto the field, fans held signs and the Richmond banner paid tribute to their adopted hero reading ‘such is life.’
Although only at Punt Road for the past two years, the Tigers faithful now well and truly consider him one of their own.
Maybe even a favorite son?
On one leg Cousins went into battle one last time, but unfortunately the Tigers were unable to give him the send off he so desperately wanted.
At the very least though he has repaid the faith of the Richmond Football Club, and all the people who were willing to give him a second chance.
In a weird way Cousins leaving the AFL system and the structures and disciplines within it, will be a challenge not dissimilar to an inmate being released from jail.
Freedom awaits but we still don’t fully know how he’s going to go in the outside world.
Lets hope he stays clean.
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