How Kevin Sheedy saved Ben Cousins
Jon Ralph | December 12, 2008
A DIRECT plea for a second chance and the intervention of a club legend launched the dramatic backflip that will turn Ben Cousins into a Tiger.
Richmond coach Terry Wallace's decision to draft Cousins was kick-started by a phone call from the fallen champion.
That phone call was set up by Kevin Sheedy, who contacted Wallace and alerted him to Cousins' desperation to be considered by Richmond.
Sheedy's phone message to Wallace was that Cousins was eager to make a personal plea, with Wallace later texting back to confirm the dialogue had started.
From that conversation, the Cousins-to-Richmond idea started gaining momentum, culminating in this week's developments. It is believed Wallace met Cousins in Melbourne yesterday.
While Sheedy supports Cousins being given a second chance at AFL level, he did not personally convince Wallace of the former West Coast captain's merits.
Instead, it was Cousins' enthusiasm, after earlier rebuffing inquiries from Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss, that was the catalyst for the renewed interest.
"I hope he gets drafted," Sheedy said yesterday.
"I have always been a supporter of giving a person a second chance. I met with Ben Cousins (in Perth) last week to sit down and see where he was at in his own mind.
"For me it's about the person, not even necessarily about Richmond or footy in general. I would just like to see him get his life together."
In a day of developments, it became apparent yesterday Richmond would probably select Cousins even if its appeal to put Graham Polak on the rookie list is rejected.
The Tigers can take Cousins with selection six in the pre-season draft. The youngsters they are considering are all eligible for the rookie list.
It is unlikely the AFL will knock back Richmond's request on injured defender Polak, with the AFL Commission expected to agree to the submission, despite the queries of several rival clubs.
As a rookie, Polak could still play senior football again next year as early as Round 11, with a new rule allowing clubs to elevate a rookie halfway through the season.
That would allow the Tigers not only to recruit Cousins, but also to give Polak the chance to take the field again for the Tigers in his own time.
The Tigers board has not officially made a decision, but it has given its approval to the football department and will not meet again before Tuesday's pre-season draft.
Richmond is thrilled by the positive support from fans and members after the Cousins news broke.
The negative sentiment of last month seems to have evaporated, with some Tiger fan forums running at 80 per cent in support of Cousins.
The Tigers have ample salary cap room to pay Cousins. They had space to land a big fish such as Eagle Daniel Kerr in trade week, and if Polak is named a rookie, they will be able to pay him his contract outside the salary cap.
Pressure from sponsors is also not considered a factor, as it was reported to be for Collingwood and St Kilda.
Manager Ricky Nixon has been encouraging to Cousins to sell himself and go out and actively chase clubs.
Sheedy has been in contact with Cousins since being interviewed for his documentary mid-year. He is believed to have met him in Perth in the past fortnight.
Sheedy has been appointed as a Richmond ambassador and consultant, and will meet the Tigers board next week to discuss his role at the club.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24788276-19742,00.html
