Ben Cousins made us better, says Tigers president Gary March Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
March 29, 2012 RICHMOND says it has no regrets about recruiting confessed drug addict Ben Cousins, who last night was on bail after being arrested on drugs charges at Esperance, Western Australia.
Before the arrest, Tigers president Gary March this week reflected on Cousins' time at Richmond.
March said he believed Cousins struggled at times but could win his battle against his drug addiction.
"We said from the outset that even when Ben retired that he would continue to battle. He did when he was here," March told the Herald Sun on Monday.
Ben Cousins' rehab 'just hasn't worked'
"It was a constant battle and we knew that. We still stay in touch. (Assistant coach) Wayne Campbell went over with Dustin (Martin) in the off-season and caught up with Ben.
"I had him over last year. We continue to stay involved in his life. It is difficult when you have been an addict for 12-13 years to suddenly change your life around."
March said the challenges thrown at Cousins during his time at Richmond made the Tigers better aware of how to support players battling drug or alcohol issues.
Highs and lows of Ben Cousins
"All the experts told us that there would be baby steps and he would get better and better and that it would be more difficult post-football, and we hope that it works out for him," he said.
"It's going to be a life battle for Ben.
"From a club perspective we never regretted doing it. It gave Ben a second chance, and it also made us a stronger club in terms of understanding what we needed to deal with and how to deal with players with issues.
''It was a difficult time for a lot of us in terms of managing the increased attention, but it's made us a better club.
"I hope it works out, because he's a tremendous bloke."
Three years ago this week, Cousins made his Richmond debut in front of 87,403 supporters before two rollercoaster seasons.
Cousins on collision course with self-destruction
He was rushed to hospital after an accidental overdose of sleeping pills and Richmond also was forced to deny he had binge-drinking problems.
But he was considered an on-field leader of Richmond's emerging midfielders given his performances with his previous club, West Coast.
He was one of four Richmond players suspended by the club in April 2010 after a drunken scuffle with teammate Dan Connors.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/ben-cousins-arrested-on-drug-charges-report/story-fnctrk3q-1226312933109
