Tigers, Coughlan on the right path
Martin Boulton and Steve Butler | January 21, 2009
RICHMOND midfielder Mark Coughlan said yesterday that recruit Ben Cousins has likened the Tigers to the West Coast team that was building towards a premiership a few years ago.
"Premierships are worth their weight in gold and it's already been interesting to talk to him about where the Eagles were at in 2005-06 and comparing that to where we are now," he said.
"It was about building and finding the right combination and he sees us as a reasonably similar side."
Coughlan said he believed his friendship with Cousins at school in Western Australia had helped the 2005 Brownlow medallist settle in quickly at Punt Road. "I went to the same school and knew Benny before he came over here, so that was good for both of us to have that connection, because it's always hard coming to a club for the first time and given what he's gone through," Coughlan said.
"I think he's going to be good for us around the midfield. I tried to tag him once over at 'Subi' and he's just got that explosive running footy ability."
Coughlan said Cousins, who is not expected to play in the opening NAB Cup pre-season match against Fremantle at Subiaco, had been welcomed into the fold.
"It's been good having him on the (training) track; he's a bit of a Rolls Royce out there.
"He's good to listen to, talking about his days at the Eagles, and he's a premiership (player) and Brownlow medallist, so it's going to be good to have him out there.
"The average age (of players) gets younger every year, so it's pretty important to have not only (Cousins), but Kane Johnson, Nathan Brown, 'Richo' (Matthew Richardson) and Joel Bowden around as well, a couple of old heads to get the young blokes going."
The last time Coughlan played against Fremantle — on June 3, 2006 — he had 35 disposals in a performance that cast him as a future Tigers star.
Two weeks later he had one kick against Hawthorn before a serious knee injury ended his season — and almost his career.
Next month the 26-year-old hopes to reignite his career when Richmond heads to Subiaco to play the Dockers in the NAB Cup.
"It's pretty exciting. I've done most of the pre-season and just trying to get through the rest of January now," Coughlan said.
"The game has changed a fair bit in three years (and) there's a lot of young guys at the club I haven't played many games with, so I'm excited about getting out with them."
Deep into rehabilitation from his initial knee reconstruction, Coughlan slipped in the shower, forcing him to miss the entire 2007 season.
After returning through the club's VFL affiliate Coburg last year, the 2003 best-and-fairest winner was struck down with hamstring problems.
He admitted they were agonising times, when his chances of returning to the game felt like they were slipping away.
"Last season was my third year out of the game and I wasn't getting on the track, let alone playing, so this year is a bonus," Coughlan said.
"I want to play, but it's a bit of an unknown for me. I've got the confidence I can still play at AFL level, (now) it's about getting the opportunity and making the most of it. I've got the fitness, it's about taking it into games."
Like Geelong premiership player Max Rooke, Coughlan sought radical treatment on his hamstring problems in Germany after a brief return through the VFL.
Initially sceptical about the procedure, which involved injections of calf blood, he said he believed the treatment had aided his recovery. "I was willing to try just about anything," he said. "It was my third season out of the game and I knew I had to try something different."
Coughlan said sitting alongside coach Terry Wallace and his coaching staff on game day last year had taught him patience and given him a better understanding of structures and different game styles.
"I know it's only January, but we were the second or third best-performed side in the second half of last year and if we can take that into the first half of this year, we'll have every chance of playing finals," he said.
"I haven't played a final for eight years, so that's certainly enticed me to go on.
"I'm feeling pretty fit and it's actually just good to be back in the groove of it — you feel normal again, I guess."
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