Cousins finally settled down

JULIAN SIEBER

Ben Cousins starred as the Richmond Tigers enjoyed a hard-earned victory over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG in last night’s pre-season scratch match.

The Tigers narrowly beat the Bulldogs by three points but the main attraction was Ben Cousins who finished with 72 possessions and nine goals despite injury concerns.

“No, yeah,” said Cousins. “My hamstring flared up a bit in the second quarter but the medical guys were great – they put me on ice straight away.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick had a few words to say about Cousins after the match: “Yeah, Benny played really well. He was on fire tonight and it was great seeing him so happy after the game in the change rooms. He was just full of ecstasy.

“The other players didn’t even have a chance – they couldn’t even touch him, he was that fast. He had so much speed today.”

Cousins has clearly moved past his drug problems that lead to his ban from the AFL in 2005.

“He seems to be fitting in quite nicely here at the Richmond Football club,” said the Richmond President.

“Membership numbers have risen dramatically since he came to the club. I just find it unusual that his insists on being paid his salary in $40 increments.”