Cousins return good for the game: Wallace
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen
2:03 PM Tue 16 December, 2008
RICHMOND Football Club coach Terry Wallace says the decision to take Ben Cousins with pick six in the 2008 NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft was entirely a football department decision.
The Tigers came to the Cousins party late but stayed until the end, finally drafting the former Eagle with its only pick in the pre-season draft and handing the Brownlow Medallist a lifeline that appeared unlikely less than 24 hours earlier.
“We had huge support from Monday’s decision onwards from our playing group, from our fans, and just genuinely from everyone involved with footy,” Wallace said from Punt Rd on Tuesday.
“At that stage, the football department believed it was within our rights to go back and speak to the board, and we tried to organize a phone hookup to have a chat with board members to be able to find out where they stood with the situation.
“It was pleasing for the footy division that we were unanimously supported, that it was the footy division’s final call on the matter, whether we wanted to continue and press ahead.
Wallace said Cousins' attitude throughout what has become something of a saga was positive, and boded well for his future at the club. But the coach was also quick to point out the responsibilities that now lay with his new midfielder.
“At that time last evening (Monday) I spoke with Ben again, and once again, as he had done in previous meetings, he confirmed his commitment to the Richmond football club.
“At that stage, we decided that we were going to take Ben, and that the ball was now in his court to make the best opportunity he possibly can and get himself right as a person and get his football right".
Richmond are aware of the conditions that come attached to Cousins following the AFL's decision to allow him another shot at League football, and Wallace said the club would be doing everything in its power to support him on and off the field.
But it was the prospect of seeing a champion given a second chance that had the most impact on Richmond's decision to take Cousins, according to his new coach.
“AFL footy is about the game itself, it’s about the players that play the game, and it’s about the fans that come along to watch the game," he said.
“I think it’s more than Richmond fans this time around, I think it’s every football fan wanted to see Ben have another opportunity.”
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