Richmond may throw Cousins a lifeline
Tim Clarke
December 10, 2008 - 5:42PM WST
Speculation is growing that Ben Cousins could be handed the latest of AFL lifelines by Terry Wallace and Richmond - if the AFL allows former Docker Graham Polak to be listed as a mature rookie.
With days left until next week's pre-season draft, Cousins' footballing future had appeared bleak, but there now seems a chance Wallace and the Tigers could be about to give Cousins another chance.
The AFL confirmed tonight it had received an application for special permission for the club to place Polak on the rookie list for the 2009 AFL season.
AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said Richmond had written to the AFL today, seeking permission for Polak to be placed on its rookie list while he underwent continuing treatment and rehabilitation following his collision with a tram earlier this year.
"If the application is granted, Richmond has indicated it would exercise a second selection at next week's pre-season draft to replace Polak on the club's primary list," the statement said.
Mr Anderson said he had written to all AFL clubs today, Wednesday, to seek their views on Richmond's request, before the AFL Commission would be asked to make a ruling at its meeting in Melbourne next Monday, December 15.
Cousins' friend and 3AW football expert Gerard Healy said this afternoon that Richmond had requested that Polak be placed on a mature rookie list, in similar style to Adam Ramanauskas, who was granted the move while he recovered from cancer.
Polak is still recuperating from serious head injuries after being hit by a tram midway through last season.
"(It) appears to be on the cards given the clubs were contacted by the AFL for their feedback on whether Graham Polak can become a senior rookie," Healy said.
"That still has to be picked by a) Graham, b) his management and c) the AFL, but if that is the case … then pick seven has eventuated.
"If that does eventuate then there are a lot of people keen on Ben Cousins down at the Tigers including the coach, and Kevin Sheedy … but certainly where we did not think there was life in the issue … maybe it is on again."
Last month, Sheedy used the question-and-answer forum of a Tom Hafey Club dinner to question Richmond over its reluctance to consider recruiting Cousins.
In an animated exchange with football operations manager Craig Cameron, Sheedy told Cameron Hawthorn was rewarded this year for a gamble on Stuart Dew.
But Cameron was reported as saying said the former Eagle, who has admitted to an addiction to drugs, did not fit Richmond's recruiting policy and he would be a distraction.
Richmond are due to release a statement tonight.
http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-may-throw-cousins-a-lifeline-20081210-6vsd.html