Tivendale on Cousins in number 32 for Richmond
Jackie Epstein | March 01, 2009
OF all the Richmond people keen to see how the No. 32 went on debut last Thursday night, one man had a unique perspective.
Greg Tivendale was the man who wore the jumper before Ben Cousins, and admits he hasn't heard the end of it since the Tigers decided to draft the former Eagle.
"It's funny the week he got drafted I was just getting called 'Cuz' all week at work," said Tivendale, who wore the number at Punt Rd between 1998 and 2008.
"It's a bit strange seeing it on someone else's back after wearing it for 11 years.
"The first day he would have sold more jumpers than I would have in 11 years, don't worry about that.
"That's just the reality of it.
"He's a genuine superstar and you can understand the excitement of the fans."
Tivendale was not offered a position on the Tigers list this season and farewelled the game in the final home and away round against Melbourne.
The 188-gamer said he would have loved to play alongside Cousins.
"Absolutely, it would have been great, but we didn't quite cross paths," Tivendale said.
"It would have been an honour and a great experience to play with someone like that but it didn't work out that way so you move on.
"His record speaks for itself and hopefully he can continue that and play some good footy for the Tiges and help them play in a few finals - that would be great.
"They've replaced me pretty quickly but they've handed the number on to Ben and he's a superstar of the game so I hope he goes really well."
At 29, Tivendale is younger than the Tigers recruit.
But while Cousins embarks on a career in the yellow and black, Tivendale has started a carpentry apprenticeship and will play with his original club, Rythdale-Officer-Cardinia, where his brother, Ben, is the captain.
He missed the game on Thursday night but said he would be there supporting Richmond against Carlton in Round 1.
"I'll definitely take an interest in it," Tivendale said.
"It's a big year for the guys. You've got a lot of early draft picks, like 'Lids' (Brett Deledio) and Richie Tambling, guys from that year coming on in their fourth or fifth years now, so they'd be looking for them to step right up again.
"I would have loved to play another couple of years but I've got other interests now."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25119309-19742,00.html
