Reformed Cousins trades his millstone for a milestoneRichard Hinds
August 4, 2009
HAD it been mentioned at the start of the season that Ben Cousins would be celebrating his 250th against Sydney on Sunday, it might have been assumed the milestone related to the number of visits from sample collectors bearing specimen bottles rather than career games.
The obsession with Cousins? drug addiction was not just another sad consequence of sport?s descent to the realms of celebrity and entertainment, it was an essential part of his football story because, as Cousins acknowledged, his successes and failures could no longer be measured only on the scoreboard.
However, some time between the miserable first game for Richmond in March when the Tigers were humiliated and it seemed a hamstring strain had ended his comeback, and last Sunday?s latest eyecatching performance against Melbourne, Cousins ceased being ??human interest?? and returned to the sports section.
Consequently, his vital statistics no longer included the number of times he had been photographed sipping coffee or engaging in other nefarious activities, but simply the figures he racked up at the weekend.
Impressive numbers they have been, too, with Cousins averaging 25.8 disposals in his 10 games since returning from the hamstring strain. If he has not been the dynamic Eagle who would find a way through the tiniest crack in an opposition midfield, he is a far more imposing figure than the hesitant, almost apologetic player who appeared in practice matches.
So brightly has Cousins shone in another dark season for Richmond, he will present whoever is handed the poisoned chalice that is the Tigers coaching job an immediate dilemma ? whether to re-sign an accomplished but ageing (31) midfielder to a team about to enter yet another period of extensive renovation.
Indications from Punt Road are that, barring a dramatic on-field (injury) or off-field (relapse) development, Cousins will play on next season, with Tigers officials hopeful he might be even more effective after a full pre-season.
It seems the ??character issue?? that inevitably surrounded such a troubled soul has subsided with Cousins?s work ethic and leadership of a somewhat introverted team impressing those at Richmond who initially harboured misgivings.
The great irony of Cousins? recent success is there was a strong belief his last-minute recruitment was part of a bid by coach Terry Wallace to save his own position. Yet, eight weeks after Wallace packed his witches hats and drove away, it is Cousins? career that has been reborn.
There is also a strong chance Cousins could outlast several of his more established teammates, with the Tigers looking to clean house. Yesterday, the club was awaiting the results of scans on the latest leg injury to jeopardise the future of much-loved champion Matthew Richardson, while former All-Australian Joel Bowden is playing out his days in the reserves, and veterans such as Nathan Brown will be at the mercy of the new coaching regime.
Meanwhile, the fingers of AFL officials will remain tightly crossed for as long as Cousins pulls on a boot. So far, however, the problem child banished to the footballing wilderness after his very public arrest in a Perth street has, upon his return, provided the heartwarming story of redemption they craved.
It is a very useful tale for a competition eager to link Cousins? rehabilitation with a contentious ??three strikes?? drug policy that puts an unusual onus on the league and its clubs to nurture rather than punish drug users ? one the AFL would be wary to promote lest it blow up in their face as spectacularly as Cousins? first, premature comeback.
But on Sunday, it will not be Cousins the celebrity addict, but Cousins the footballer who is applauded and appreciated. What odds on that after round one?
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/reformed-cousins-trades-his-millstone-for-a-milestone-20090804-e7fk.html
