Plaster off, Cuz aims for comeback next week
By Mic Cullen Thu 21 May, 2009
RICHMOND midfielder Ben Cousins has had the plaster removed from his broken hand and is expected to play next week.
Cousins broke his hand early in Sunday's match against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium but has already returned to gym work and is set to get back to full training early next week.
The Tigers are confident he will return for the round 10 clash with Fremantle in his home city of Perth.
"He's good – he had the plaster off today and he's in here doing some gym work," Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said on Thursday afternoon.
"We're hoping by early next week things have settled down, and we're hoping he's in a position to be able to play next week."
The former West Coast premiership player has been joined on the sidelines this week by emerging ruckman Angus Graham, who is being rested due to hamstring tightness.
Graham has been one of the bright lights for the Tigers in 2009, playing the past seven matches to take his career tally to nine. More importantly, his performances have provided plenty of hope that he could develop into a long-term ruckman at the club.
Graham and Cousins are the only two omissions from the side that went so close to winning against Port Adelaide on Sunday. They have been replaced by Will Thursfield and Adam Pattison for Saturday night's 'Dreamtime at the G' clash with Essendon.
Thursfield was dropped after the round one thrashing at the hands of Carlton, while Pattison is back for his third game of the year.
Monaghan said the decision to rest Graham was made in the long-term interests of the 22-year-old.
"Angus hasn't got a tear or a strain, he's just very tight, and we don't want to put him at risk this week," Graham said.
"He just needs a week off to get back to 100 per cent.
"You might recall a couple of weeks ago he went down like a sack of spuds with severe cramping in both hamstrings because of his higher work rate and a lot of running, and he's just got some soreness, so the medical staff say he needs a week to fully recover."
Monaghan said both players coming into the side had shown good form in the VFL.
"Patto's been in really good form for Coburg, he had a terrific game last week and he's ready to take up the opportunity,” he said.
"Will started the season slowly, but he's gradually developed his form to the stage where we've been looking to bring him in at some stage, and this week is the perfect opportunity."
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