Ben Cousins to end health rumours by playing Stephen Rielly
The Australian
April 08, 2010 THERE isn't much Ben Cousins can do to bring a halt to the rumours about his health and wellbeing other than play football, which is what he will do this weekend.
After having another clutch of allegations pinned to his reputation on Tuesday by a player manager who subsequently backed away from them, Cousins will be named tonight in the Richmond 22 for Saturday's match against Sydney at the SCG.
The former West Coast captain played in round one but did not play for the Tigers in their heavy loss to the Western Bulldogs last Sunday because of what the club said was a knee problem. On two occasions before the season began Cousins was admitted to hospital for what was described as a gastric complaint.
His selection will follow by just two days claims from Rick Olarenshaw that the recovering drug addict had "lost his way again" and was preparing to retire.
Olarenshaw's unsubstantiated claims didn't perturb Richmond or Cousins greatly. He has been a constant source of speculation since joining the club almost 18 months ago.
It is understood Cousins, 31, sat down with Richmond staff on Tuesday and listened to a replay of the latest speculation and, according to one source, his only response was to chuckle and wonder when, or if, the gossiping about his health would ever cease.
The club went to the trouble of contacting the AFL Players Association, which accredits all player managers, to express its disappointment with what Olarenshaw said but the greater issue for the Tigers was the fact Olarenshaw manages Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson.
Jackson, a member of Richmond's leadership group and its delegate to the AFLPA, was said to be upset by the conclusion he understood would be inevitably drawn through his connection to both Olarenshaw and Cousins. He spoke to Richmond officials and Cousins on Tuesday to distance himself from the allegations. A former Essendon premiership player, Olarenshaw said he received his information from people close to Cousins.
Richmond might also select Shane Tuck tonight for his first start for the season. The gritty but error-prone 28-year-old ball winner has not figured in the first two matches as new coach Damien Hardwick has evaluated his younger players.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/ben-cousins-to-end-health-rumours-by-playing/story-e6frg7mf-1225851126734
