Tigers back fit Ben Cousins Scott Gullan
Herald Sun
April 10, 2010 BEN Cousins will play tonight against Sydney and is an important part of Richmond's future.
That was the declaration yesterday from Tigers coach Damien Hardwick following another turbulent week for his veteran midfielder.
Earlier this week Cousins' fitness and long-term future was questioned on radio by player manager Ricky Olarenshaw, who said he "may have lost his way again".
The 31-year-old missed last week's game against the Western Bulldogs because of what the club said was a knee injury.
"He's trained well this week, which is pleasing," Hardwick said. "He'll play and hopefully he plays well for us. He's an important player for our side.
"He adds a lot of experience and he knows how to play the game and our young guys can learn a lot off him.
"What 'Cuz' does is actually provide great on-field leadership for us, which is really important at this stage of our young players' careers."
Earlier yesterday Olarenshaw apologised for broadcasting rumours about Cousins.
The former Essendon premiership player - who works for Channel 7 as well as representing several AFL players - said during his regular spot on radio station Gold FM that Cousins had gone off the rails and was considering walking away from the game.
"On Tuesday I spoke on this program about some rumours that were circulating that Ben Cousins may have lost his way, and an announcement was imminent about his future," Olarenshaw said.
"I spoke with Richmond Football Club and his management during the week and they assured me his knee problem kept him out of Round 2 and he is in a good place mentally and physically at the moment and there is no question about his future at the club.
"I apologise for airing those rumours and putting Ben Cousins and the Richmond Football Club unfairly in the spotlight and causing unnecessary upset to Ben."
Hardwick said the club was getting used to dealing with Cousins rumours.
"We know exactly where Cuz is at and what he's doing and we're happy with the way he's going at the moment," Hardwick said.
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