Play me, Cousins tells Tigers (Age)

[one-eyed]

Play me, Cousins tells Tigers
SAMANTHA LANE
March 24, 2010
 

BEN COUSINS has declared himself fit to play in tomorrow night's AFL season-opener, but says he still needs to convince Richmond's match committee to select him today.

Last year's disappointment of requiring a month on the sidelines after a hamstring injury in a much-hyped round-one return to the AFL has apparently not dulled Cousins' desire to play as soon as possible despite an interrupted summer.

The 31-year-old played in just one of Richmond's pre-season matches and has been hospitalised twice in recent weeks with a mysterious stomach ailment, raising speculation about Cousins' readiness to play. The Age reported last week that the club had warned Cousins on more than one occasion to curb his drinking.

Cousins, speaking yesterday on Nova radio, said very little on that topic, apart from: ''A lot of what was reported is totally incorrect.''

But if the 2005 Brownlow medallist has been bothered by amplified scrutiny and commentary regarding his health and habits during the off-season, he wasn't showing it on his regular radio slot.

Instead, he laughed about being caught in his underwear on Monday afternoon by a television journalist who was waiting outside his house, and joked about fleeing Australia on a boat like crime figure Tony Mokbel. Cousins also wondered aloud whether his stomach troubles had been caused by failed attempts by his girlfriend to poison him.

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said this week that Cousins had '' a little personal issue'' before Christmas and ''took his eye off the ball for a week or two when the magnitude of the previous years began to affect him''.

While the Tigers' coaches spoke to the former West Coast captain about his lacklustre training, Gale described Cousins' subsequent output as ''outstanding''.

After experiencing acute pain in his stomach that he initially ignored before it led to him ''going a bit crazy'' and seeking medical treatment, Cousins said his health was now much improved.

Cousins played 15 matches for Richmond last year, averaged 24 possessions and finished fifth in the club's best-and-fairest award.

''I'd like to think I could play,'' he said yesterday of the clash with Carlton, ''but it's whether the match committee think I have done enough.

''I've only played one of the pre-season games, and was expected to play our last pre-season hitout and that's when I got crook, so it didn't come at a very good time.

''I'm going to be available, I'm trying to convince the match committee to pick me.

''We've got a fair bit of depth there, and some young guys coming through who could probably do the job quite comfortably.''

Cousins said the feeling before the first game was ''very different'' to last year. ''There's just less hype about it,'' he said.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/play-me-cousins-tells-tigers-20100323-qu26.html

[one-eyed]

Cousins tells the Tigers: select me, I'm ready
The Australian
March 24, 2010

 
RICHMOND midfielder Ben Cousins has declared himself ready to play in the season-opener against Carlton at the MCG tomorrow night.
 
Cousins has been in hospital twice in recent weeks with a stomach complaint.

The former West Coast skipper has only played in one of the Tigers' four pre-season games, but is back in full training.

"I am going to be available and I'd like to think I can play (against the Blues)," Cousins told Melbourne radio.

"It is whether the match committee think I have done enough.

"But I would love to play, it's been a big summer and we know what the build-up is to round one, especially playing Carlton."

Cousins, 31, made his much-hyped debut for Richmond in the corresponding fixture last year.

But the match was a disaster for both player and club, with Cousins tearing his hamstring and the Tigers getting belted by 83 points.

"It's very different to this time last year, there's less hype about it, we go into the game definitely underdogs," Cousins said.

"They're a good side Carlton."

The match will be the Tigers' first for premiership points under new coach Damien Hardwick.

Cousins said his first few months under Hardwick had given him a different view of the former Essendon and Port Adelaide defender.

"I used to play on Damien a lot and he used to give me a clip for sure, (he was a) tough man," Cousins said.

"It's interesting coming through your career and coming across guys like Damien.

"Invariably, they're the guys that once you come across them later in your career, you find out they're good blokes and you have a lot of time for them.

"They're the sort of guys you'd love to play with and hate to play against.

"Often they're the players that go on to become good coaches, because they know what it takes to get the best out of themselves."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/cousins-tells-the-tigers-select-me-im-ready/story-e6frg7mf-1225844483374

[Mr Magic]

"It is whether the match committee think I have done enough.

I think we might be able to squeeze him in.

[Francois Jackson]

no need to play him really. whats the point. We need him on the park all year to teach the young ones and not to break down again like he did in Round 1 last year.

Dont Play RFC

[Mr Magic]

no need to play him really. whats the point. We need him on the park all year to teach the young ones and not to break down again like he did in Round 1 last year.

Dont Play RFC

Worried about his stomach flaring again Daniel?
His hamstrings been fine for ages.

[Francois Jackson]

no need to play him really. whats the point. We need him on the park all year to teach the young ones and not to break down again like he did in Round 1 last year.

Dont Play RFC

Worried about his stomach flaring again Daniel?
His hamstrings been fine for ages.

if he is fit and ready yes let him play but if he is not at 100% whats the bloody point. We do this all the time as a club.

If he is not 100% match fit then yes his hamstrings may play up again. Id rather see our future on the big stage not 90% fit veterans

[Mr Magic]

If he is not 100% match fit then yes his hamstrings may play up again. Id rather see our future on the big stage not 90% fit veterans

Maybe so but we'll have four debutants already.
Cuz's experience out there for those kids will help at least a little with their development.
If the hammy goes then so be it for the reason's you've mentioned because Cuz won't be part of any premiership drive.

[cub]

Cuzz says he's ready! Good enough for me

[tiger101]

Cuzz says he's ready! Good enough for me

agree