Richmond Tigers News

Jack Riewoldt has collected his second medal in four days, adding the Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond's best and fairest to the Coleman Medal he won for topping the AFL's goalkicking list for 2010.

Ben Cousins says Richmond stood up for him when he needed it most after saying goodbye to football in a 10-point loss to Port Adelaide.

"I'm the master at disguising my emotions - it's probably one of my problems sometimes, I'm always running from something, but there's nothing wrong with getting emotional, footy's an emotional game," Cousins said.

"Today's nothing but a good day - it would have been lovely to have a win, but aside from that, it's a day for me to celebrate all the good things that have happened to me."

Richmond's Ben Cousins appears to have overcome any injury suffered last round, and will play his final AFL game against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

"All we want to do is send him off with a win," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"[To] sing that song one last time would be terrific for him."

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire explains why the club chose not to draft Ben Cousins in late 2008.

"At no stage did Ben actually ring me to say 'look I really want to come to this club'," McGuire said.

"At that stage it was we're all auditioning for Ben and his attitude was absolutely appalling. It was not about us at all, it was about us being a vehicle for Ben."

The AFL has spoken with the AFLPA and Tigers officials about supporting recovering drug addict Ben Cousins post-football.

"If you are someone who has an addiction or has had illicit drug problems, we think it's incumbent on us as a code to make sure if you leave the system, we continue to offer support," AFL chief Andrew Demetrious said.

"I think that's probably the right thing for any compassionate organisation to do because we do want to see Ben continue his recovery."

Richmond's Graham Polak has retired, little more than two years after the tram accident that almost claimed his life.

"I was actually watching 60 Minutes last Sunday and they had this story on brain injuries in the various football codes. I saw this guy, who had brain damage from a hit he'd taken playing rugby league ... I've had more knocks than him, plus I've already suffered a brain injury, in the accident with the tram," Polak said.

"So that pretty much triggered me into making the decision to retire. After seeing the story, and talking with my partner, Alyce, I realised that life's more important. I don't want to grow up as a person who can't play with his kids."

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins has trained solidly as he looks to recover from a hamstring strain in time to play his last match.

"It'd be a great story for football and it would be a great story for Ben if he played on the weekend," teammate Jack Riewoldt.

"That is going to come down to Ben himself and I know he's not going to sell his teammates short. He is not going to go out there if he doesn't think he can play."

Richmond sign young guns Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin to long-term deals, making them two of the richest young stars in the AFL.

"The important thing is the players have bought into the plan," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"It's great to have a plan, but the players must buy in. They can see something we're building. It's an exciting time to be a Richmond supporter. It's been a tough year, but we've laid a reasonably solid foundation going forward."

Ben Cousins talks about his upcoming documentary and his life at the time of his drug use to radio station Nova FM.

"I always had the same sort intensity even from the beginning. I attacked my social life, recreational drug use, the same way I did my footy and everything," Cousins said.

"...It became an outlet a way for me, an escape for me, a way of dealing and coping with things."

Ben Cousins is set to make his farewell appearance against Port Adelaide on Sunday after scans revealed no significant damage to his injured hamstring.

"Ben will continue to work with the Richmond medical and fitness staff over the next few days, and we are hopeful he will be fit for this Sunday's match against Port Adelaide," Tigers football manager Craig Cameron said.

Field umpire Stuart Wenn admits his words and demeanour towards Richmond player Daniel Connors were inappropriate after vision and audio of the Tigers' clash with St Kilda showed Wenn telling Connors: "You're batting out of your league, pal. You're batting so far out of your league."

"My comments to Daniel and my body language were not in line with how I normally communicate with players," Wenn said.

"I have spoken to Daniel and I acknowledged that I should have handled the situation more appropriately."

Ben Cousins leaves the field with a hamstring injury during St Kilda's 21-point victory over Richmond which may mean his career will end in round 21 rather than round 22 as expected.

"He'll have scans at some stage and undoubtedly there'll be a cast of thousands down there this week to see whether he's up and going," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"We're pretty positive that with the right rehab and right recovery that he'll get up and play, but we'll obviously assess that during the week."

Ben Cousins rarely let his his emotions get the better of him but when discussing his father's impact on his caeer he went close.

"I've put him through a hell of a lot at different times - he's my best mate," Cousins said.

"I'm just proud to be able to leave on my own terms, because I think it's in some way it's a bit of a compliment to what he's done. He's gone over and above what any father should have to, and he's happily done it. It's very much appreciated."

West Coast coach John Worsfold says Ben Cousins will be remembered as one of the greats of his former club.

"There's always great players running around that you just love watching and I think he was certainly one of those," Worsfold said.

"He was a good player to coach and certainly we'll all remember him as one of the great players of the West Coast Eagles."

Ben Cousins announces his retirement from football saying he is happy to have been able to leave the game with dignity after rejuvenating his career at Richmond.

"By walking away from the game now I can walk away in a positive light," he said.

"I've had to endure a fair bit over the last few years. The game is getting harder and it can pass you by very quickly ... I just think that I've worked too hard over the last few years not to go out on my own terms."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demtriou is critical of Channel Seven for its promotion of the controversial Ben Cousins documentary.

"I'm disappointed with the way it's been promoted. I think the Seven network has been ordinary in the way they've put it up ... without our knowledge, they were supoposed to work with us in the way it was promoted, but I found that pretty distasteful," Demetriou told radio station 3AW.

"They are all about ratings and exploitation."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Irishman Jamie O'Reilly, who will make his debut this week, is a lot further advanced in his development than expected.

"We think it would be a great experience for him, he's played some really good football at Coburg level and we just look forward to him making the next step and hopefully becoming a regular senior player for us," Hardwick said.

"He's got exceptional speed, he's actually a very, very good kick for an Irishman. We think he's going to be a very good player.''

Irish defender Jamie O'Reilly is named by Richmond to make his debut against Carlton.

"I just have a picture in my head of what Round 1 was like," O'Reilly told the Herald Sun.

"Maybe Round 1 is bigger than Round 20, but Carlton have a lot to play for, as do we. So there will be Juddy and Cuzzy and me stuck in the middle of the ground not knowing where I am, but I am looking forward to it."

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale hopes Ben Cousins' upcoming documentary can have a positive impact on those who watch it.

"If what Ben and his family have been through serves as an important lesson to others then it has been worth doing," Gale said.

"As we all know, Ben was in a very dark place. As a recovering drug addict, we believe his time at Richmond has helped him with his rehabilitation and we will continue to support him."

Young Tiger Troy Taylor has received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to assault stemming from an incident in Alice Springs last year.

"Troy is extremely remorseful and understands fully that he has done the wrong thing," Richmond football manager Craig Cameron said.

"The club will continue to support Troy and assist him in making better decisions in the future. Troy has a wonderful opportunity being a part of the AFL system and we will be working with him to make the most of that opportunity."

Richmond playmaker Brett Deledio says he could play a role similar to Hawthorn superstar Luke Hodge.

"It depends what Damien sees for me in the future for me whether I go back in the midfield," Deledio said.

"I suppose him (Hardwick) coming from Hawthorn, I could play a similar sort of role to Luke Hodge where he goes back, goes into the midfield and goes forward as well."

Ben Cousins future is being discussed and his captain, Chris Newman has given his stamp of approval for Cous to play on next year.

"He offers a lot of leadership on-field and off the field, and I think you could see it on the weekend - he was very clean with the footy and he's running on top of the ground," Newman said.

"I think the best thing with Ben is he's playing for his football career, so he's really enjoying it, and we're really enjoying playing with him."

Richmond midfielder Richard Tambling will undergo hip surgery and miss the rest of the season.

Luke Darcy says the Dogs would have won a flag in the late-90s if then coach Terry Wallace had been more receptive to feedback from players.

"It is my absolute belief that the Bulldogs would have won a premiership in the late '90s had the coach felt secure enough in himself to accept input from the playing group," Darcy wrote in a column the AFL website.

"Unfortunately, Terry Wallace wasn't the right character to handle this feedback; he believed that players meeting among themselves would lead to discontent. Not surprisingly, the Richmond players shared a similar experience following Terry's five-year stint at Tigerland."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says unlimited interchange rotations have accommodated older players, like Ben Cousins whose future may rest on the AFL's decision to limit the number of interchanges allowed.

"I think what we've had with four interchange players is it's allowed you to play guys a little bit older but the speed of the game can also take that away," Hardwick said.

"From our point of view, the important thing is we need to know early so we can plan."

Ben Cousins says sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis should have handled his departure from the Western Bulldogs with more grace.

"It is disappointing for Aker that he hasn't left the game probably in the way that he deserves and certainly in the way his talent deserves,'' Cousins said.

"(Leaving a club) is a really testing time. One of the things that I was proud about the way I handled that situation. I don't think the club was 100 per cent right and I don't think, definitely I wasn't. I didn't have to come out and take shots at people that I wasn't necessarily happy with and thought they had done the total right thing by me. There was nothing to be gained by it. I had to put my hand up and take responsibility for the part I played in it, which was a pretty big one."

Richmond's Daniel Connors says he feels he owes the club after his indiscretion earlier this season.

"I owe them for giving me another chance. I've just got to do everything right and dot my i's and cross my t's from here on in," Connors said.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he is happy with Connors' progress as a defender.

"We've always known he was going to be a very good player for us. He's just started to get that maturity," Hardwick said.

"It's taken him a long time. It's his fourth year at the club and we're starting to see the benefits of the development that Justin Leppitsch as a defensive coach has put into him."

Richmond coach Damian Hardwick confirms that midfielder Nathan Foley will not play against this season due to a persistent leg injury.

"Yeah he's done," Hardwick said.

"He will have surgery this week or next week just to clean up some things. It's nothing too serious. It's just something that has been nagging for a little while. It's all about 2011 for Nathan at this stage."

Besides leading the Coleman medal race with 53 goals so far this season, Jack Riewoldt also has 52 tackles to his name after taking the defensive side of his game to another level.

"He is No.1 in the AFL for tackles inside-50, he's taken the most contested marks, and all his defensive stuff has been rewarded with his offensive stuff and his goals," Richmond's forward coach Danny Daly said.

"But Jack's still got a long way to go, and we keep riding him from week-to-week to make sure that he keeps at that level and keeps improving himself."

Ben Cousins says nothing sinister was behind his recent hospitlisation due to a sleeping tablet and hopes to play against Fremantle on Saturday night.

"It's not illegal or anything untoward. It's something that's been prescribed to me with a fair bit of thought process ... it was just probably an error of my judgment," Cousins said.

"It was probably scarier for the people around me. I was lucky my girlfriend was there."

Ben Cousins has asked to be drug tested by the AFL to prove an illicit substance wasn't behind his admission to hospital.

Richmond are invetigating the cause of Ben Cousins' collapse believed to have been caused by a cocktail of caffeine, alcohol and sleeping pills.

"We've got no suspicion that there was anything illicit involved," Richmond head of football Craig Cameron said.

"It's definitely concerning for his health. He's in hospital, in intensive care. His condition won't be known for another 24 hours, and that's concerning for sure. And we are worried about Ben's health."

Ben Cousins has been hospitalised after an adverse reaction to a sleeping tablet.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Ben Cousins' future will be decided at season's end based on his form for the rest of the year.

"His last three to four weeks have been very, very good. He was probably pretty slow at the start, I reckon his first five or six rounds weren't great but he did have an interrupted pre-season so we'll make a decision towards the end of the year," Hardwick said.

"That will be a list management decision but he is doing all he can to propel himself forward."

Jack Riewoldt is staying level headed despite his hot form and specualtion regarding a new contract, says Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch.

"He's got a great attitude, a great personality," Leppitsch said.

"I think he takes success very well. He more than anyone knows he has to keep grounded and he's done a good job of that."

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says the plaudits for his 10-goal against the Eagles haul deserve to be shared with his side's midfielders.

"I was just lucky enough to get on the end of a few today. I'm just happy we've had our second win of the year and happy that our game-plan is coming together well," Riewoldt said.

"At the moment, we're really good at backing our key forwards in one-on-one contests. It was really good to get on the end of a few and I was happy that I kicked straight."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick heaps praise on Jack Riewoldt's effort after the key forward kicked a career-high 10 goals against the Eagles.

"Jack Riewoldt had a great individual game," Hardwick said.

"He has been in terrific form - the pleasing thing is our guys are starting to deliver the ball inside 50 a hell of a lot better. Credit to those guys up the ground kicking it to a favoured side and letting Jack use his body, which he does very well."

Mistakes made on a road trip to Sydney could have cost the career of Daniel Connors, but the young Tiger is vowing to return better than ever.

"As soon as I got the punishment, I was asking: 'where to from here?'," Connors said.

"I could either let it fall by the wayside and let everything get too much and get carried away and lose the plot, or I could think: 'I stuffed up, I have to cop it on the chin, I want to do everything right to prove to the club that I want to come back a better and stronger person and redeem myself'."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says his side must keep developing the likes of Ben Griffiths to assist in-form forward Jack Riewoldt who kicked six goals in a 38-point loss to the Saints.

"Our forward line is going to be our achilles heel for the time being. Jack to his credit was outstanding and I thought he had some quality opposition," Hardwick said.

"What we've got to do is develop that forward line so we can get him some help down there - it was an outstanding individual effort but he needs some help down there no doubt."

Dustin Martin is the 2010 round 10 NAB rising star nominee after impressing with his ability to win the contested ball in heavy and wet conditions against Port Adelaide.

Martin has been linked recently to the new Greater Western Sydney team but has hinted that he will remain at Richmond.

"The Tigers gave me the opportunity and I'm happy here so I'd be happy to stay here," he said.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has confirmed the club is in contract negotiations with young star Dustin Martin.

"We're very confident that he'll stay and be a very good player for our footy club," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"Dustin's not going anywhere we don't think. He's very happy here, and we're in negotiations at the moment."

Life after footy holds no fears for Troy Simmonds who, after overcoming a serious condition in 2007, says he is lucky to have life at all.

"I had that life-threatening cardio vascular event back in 2007 and faced a less than 10 per cent chance of living at that time. That changed my whole outlook on life," he said.

"I had no idea what pulmonary embelism was at the time. I was just ready to get back out there and play. It really did set me back and it was a wake-up call. It showed we're not bullet proof and you can't take anything for granted in life.

"I learnt a lot about myself and that is what footy has done. It has been a great training ground for me. I said to the boys this morning it has given me a great vehicle to really learn about myself as a player, as a person and in a team environment."

Simmonds will play his last AFL game against St Kilda next week after announcing his retirement.

"I've got some things going on and and I've got a business in helping other people. I'm writing a book with a business partner that will hopefully be released at the end of the year," he said about his plans for life after footy.

The Herald Sun reports that Richmond young gun Dustin Martin has received a verbal offer of $800,000 a season over three seasons from 2012 from the New South Wales expansion team Greater Western Sydney.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick praises Jack Riewoldt after the young forward kicks a career-high 6 goals against Essendon.

"He's going to be a good player, that kid," Hardwick said after the match.

"He's 21 years of age and he's kicked a number of goals. The most important thing, though, is that he's leading the league in inside-50 tackles, which for us, is an outstanding achievement.

"I've been lucky enough to see a couple of young key forwards going around at Hawthorn and he's right up there at this stage."

Daniel Jackson's will be suspended for three weeks after failing to reverse a charge of headbutting Hawthorn's Campbell Brown.

Former Richmond goalsneak Andrew Krakouer says he wants another crack at playing AFL footy after dominating in the WAFL since being released from prison.

"Over the last couple of years there has been a few mature-age boys picked up and that certainly puts a different light on it," Krakouer said.

"A lot of people think once you hit your early 20s or mid-20s you haven't got a chance, but you never know what can happen.

"But something like that, if it was to happen, is a long way off. If something eventuates down the track I'll have to look at it and reassess it. I've just got to play my part for the team and make sure I keep doing what I'm doing."

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins says he shaved his head to avoid a drugs hair test because he didn't trust the AFL-backed testing process.

"I had, at the time - rightly or wrongly - very little faith in the people that were going to make a decision on my future being able to comprehend the results of that test," he said.

"Obviously there were some concerns with it, and I felt that the AFL was out to get me."

Ben Cousins says he would like to continue to play for Richmond in 2011, despite rumours of his imminent retirement.

"I'm of the opinion that, barring any bad luck, I'll be able to play footy of the calibre I did last year, if not better, which I'm hoping will warrant a lengthy discussion about whether it's worth going on again next year," Cousins said.

"I'm just really enjoying the games that I play. I've got a real enjoyment out of seeing the development and helping fast-track the development of some of the younger players."

Richmond defender Will Thursfield says the new coaching regime at the Tigers, including Justin Leppitsch in particular, is teaching the backline invaluable lessons on defence.

"Big Leppa - he knows a lot about defending, which is good for us, because in the past we've been taught more how to attack," Thursfield said.

"He's teaching us a lot about spoiling, the positioning of the body and things like that. He's a good teacher, and he enjoys doing it as well, so he's a pretty valuable addition."

Tigers' vice-captain Nathan Foley says Richmond backman Jordan McMahon remains determined to reignite his AFL career after being consigned to the VFL since new coach Damien Hardwick's appointment.

''Jordan has been around the AFL a long time, so he knows how it works,'' Foley said.

''He's put his head down and is working hard -- be it on the training track or in the gym. It's obviously a difficult period for him, but he's dealt with it very well.''

Richmond forward Robin Nahas admits to letting the Tigers down in the opening two AFL rounds before returning to the side in round 5 to be on eof the Tigers' best with 18 disposals and 3 goals.

"Defensively I've let the team down, and the weekend was obviously a step in the right direction," Nahas said.

"I obviously want to improve from last year, and the way I started this year was not exactly what I wanted, but it's time to respond now, and hopefully I can continue to do that."

Richard Tambling, on the eve of his 100th game, feels he has emerged from Lance Franklin's sizeable shadow after being taken one pick higher than the Hawthorn champ in the 2004 draft.

"It was tough the first couple of years but I've come out the other side a better person and hopefully a better footballer," Tambling said.

"There's definitely a lot of pressure on an 18-year-old to come out of school and set the world on fire, which Buddy did."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Trent Cotchin filled in admirably for the injured Chris Newman as skipper of the side against Melbourne.

"With Chris Newman's absence last weekend, we put it to the leadership group to decide who they thought should have the opportunity to captain the club," Hardwick said.

"Given the fact Brett Deledio had done the job before (round 22 last year), they wanted to give Trent Cotchin a chance. For Trent's personal development as a player, it was an outstanding opportunity - too good to be passed up.

"There's so much more to captaincy these days than just tossing the coin. The captain takes responsibility on-field for the whole team and I thought Trent was terrific last Sunday."

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says suspended players Daniel Connors, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo and Ben Cousins have let him down after indulging in rowdy drunken antics at the team hotel in Sydney.

"I think all four have let me down. Dan needs to take some responsibility for his actions," Hardwick said.

"I just don't think they handled the situation well enough though. If someone actually had the balls to stand up and say 'Listen Dan, enough's enough, go to bed' [then] none of that would have happened."

Former Richmond coach Terry Wallace is critical of Ben Cousins' role in trying to subdue a drunk Daniel Connors by punching him in the face.

"Why would Ben put himself in that situation late in an evening when you know someone is consuming that much alcohol," Wallace said.

"You try to get the player (Connors) out of there and if you can't control the player you try to get yourself out of there."

Wallace also said it was questionable whether Cousins should still be in the Tigers' side.

"One of the reasons he was there in the first place was the humanitarian side of it, to try to help this bloke who's been such a champion of the game to get himself right, but there is a football club to be run at the same time and the biggest problem he has is he is getting no continuity of football," Wallace said.

Ben Cousins accepts responsibility for punching a Richmond teammate Daniel Connors in in an attempt to restrain him during a rowdy night fueled by alcohol at the team hotel in Sydney.

"I take responsibility for my actions for being in that situation," Cousins said.

"It became a question of, you know, trying to get him to calm down because of the security and not wanting to cause too much disruption.

"When something like that happens I guess everyone that was there or was involved has to ask themselves if they could have done more to prevent the situation from escalating.''

Yound Tiger defender Daniel Connors is hit with an eight-week suspension, including a six-week ban from training with the club, after being intoxicated and engaging in unruly behaviour at the team hotel following the club's loss to the Swans in Sydney.

Ben Cousins, Luke McGuane and Dean Polo were also suspended for a match for their involvement in the incident.

Richmond is investigating reports of player misbehaviour at the team's hotel in Sydney after the Tigers' loss to the Swans.

Several Richmond players, including veteran Ben Cousins, are under scrutiny after reports of drinking and unacceptable noise levels at the Inter-Continental Hotel until 3am.

Player agent Ricky Olarenshaw has apologised for broadcasting rumours about Ben Cousins allegedly having once again gone off the rails and contemplating retirement.

"On Tuesday I spoke on this program about some rumours than were circulating that Ben Cousins may have lost his way, and an announcement was imminent about his future," Olarenshaw said on Gold FM.

"I spoke with Richmond Football Club and his management during the week and they assured me his knee problem kept him out of Round 2 and he is in a good place mentally and physically at the moment and there is no question about his future at the club.

"I apologise for airing those rumours and putting Ben Cousins and the Richmond Football Club unfairly in the spotlight and causing unnecessary upset to Ben."

Relton Roberts was handed a club-imposed one-week suspension by Richmond after being caught indulging in a late-night drinking session.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Ben Cousins will play for the side for as long as his form permits despite the veteran being under scrutiny for his indifferent form in round 1 and a recent knee injury.

"He's the first to admit that pre-Christmas he had a few things on his mind, but from Christmas onwards he's been outstanding. He had that illness for a while so he missed probably four sessions, but he's been very good for us," Hardwick said.

Matthew Richardson proved his appeal will outlive his career, with Richmond and Carlton fans alike rising to send him off in fine style during the curtain raiser at the MCG in the 2010 season opener between the two clubs.

Eagles captain Darren Glass says Nic Naitanui is becoming the new hero at the club.

"There is no doubt he is the hero, he's the man at West Coast," Glass said.

"I have seen it with Cousy, I have seen it with Juddy and I see it now with Naitanui. It's quite good for the rest of us as we are able to sit back and watch because the kids love him. He really is the talk of the town, which is exciting."

The Herald Sun reports that a coronial inquest has revealed drug-related incidences witnessed by Ben Cousins on the night his friend, West Coast Eagles premiership player Chris Mainwaring, died.

These include Cousins seeing Mainwaring with cocaine on a plate and Mainwaring's wife Rani washing a quantity of cocaine down a sink.

Ben Cousins returns to training with the Tigers after twice being admitted to hospital due to stomach pains leading Tigers captain Chris Newman to believe that Cousins could be available for round 1.

"The way he was going, he was pretty vibrant this morning. I would expect him to play, I would be pretty surprised if he didn't," Newman said.

"He trained this morning really and seemed like he was back to his normal self. At this stage I would expect him to play in Round 1."

Ben Cousins is locked in a battle over his controversial book due to be published that details his drug use and gangland connections.

The Herald Sun reports that the book is 75 per cent completed but its author Peter Wilmoth no longer associated with it.

Cousins has accepted an advance believed to be over $200,000 but is said to be dissatisfied with the current product.

Richmond defender Jake King has had his striking charge downgraded at the tribunal after arguing that his actions were reckless but not intentional.

King told the tribunal that he was being held down by two Collingwood players during a scuffle and made contact with Cloke as he fought his way off the ground.

King's ban has been reduced to one match which means that he will still be unavailable for round 1.

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins has been released from hospital after tests as the club denies it has spoken individually with him about binge drinking.

"In response to media speculation raised today, the Richmond Football Club confirms that Ben Cousins has never been spoken to individually with regards to binge drinking," a statement from the Tigers said.

Mature-age rookie Graham Polak is elevated to Richmond's senior list along with indigenous forward Relton Roberts.

"I was really excited when I heard the news," Polak said.

"I am really grateful to the club and all the Richmond fans. I couldn't have got through this difficult time without my family, (fiancee) Alyce and my teammates."

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins has been readmitted to hospital for further tests on continuing abdominal pain.

"Ben is under the care of a gastroenterologist and at this stage it looks as if he will stay overnight," Richmond club doctor Greg Hickey said.

"Unfortunately Ben's symptoms from last week have not yet fully resolved so we have asked for some more tests to be performed."

Richmond star Ben Cousins has been admitted to hospital after complaining of abdominal pains.

"Ben's condition does not appear serious but as a precautionary measure we would like some tests done to see what the problem is," Richmond's general manager of football Craig Cameron said.

Richmond defender Jake King will appear before the tribunal next Tuesday night to fight a striking charge based only on evidence given by Collingwood's Travis Cloke.

A spiteful NAB Challenge practice match between the Magpies and the Tigers results in allegations of biting and "dobbing".

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has drawn the ire of Richmond after providing evidence that he was struck by Richmond's Jake King resulting in the latter being suspended and offered two weeks for his offence.

Tigers recruit Dylan Grimes was also involved after being allegedly bitten on the back by an unnamed Collingwood player.

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke provides evidence to the match review panel against Tiger Jake King for striking him.

King is subsequently suspended for two matches following Cloke's evidence.

Greg Miller, Richmond's director during Terry Wallace's tenure as head coach of Richmond, says that Wallace was doomed from the start due to under-funding of the football division.

"From year one, the biggest concern was (that) the board - and I was part of that board - made a decision not to finance the football division, and that was a mistake," Miller told the Herald Sun.

"We were under-resourced in recruiting and under-resourced in development. Completely.

"We had to pull our head in (as a club), but the footy division suffered and, in the end, so did Terry's reputation."

Richmond has won the signature of emerging midfielder Trent Cotchin, who has agreed to a three-year contract extension and warded off any potential advances from the Gold Coast.

"One of the things you want to be as an AFL footballer is a one-club player," Cotchin said.

"Another factor for me was seeing how much support the club has outside, from members, as well as from people inside the club ... it's just a good place to be.

Tigers star Ben Cousins has avoided a conviction in court for a traffic offence after an performing an unsafe U-turn from The Esplanade in Brighton in April last year.

Magistrate Graeme Keil said he was worthy of a diversion on the charge due to his recent good character.

The court was told Cousins had written a letter of apology to the victim.

Ben Cousins severs ties with his player manager Ricky Nixon after a 10-year relationship.

The fall-out is believed to be related to disputes surrounding Cousins' upcoming documentary and book deal.

Richmond will protect young midfielder Trent Cotchin by only playing him for 50 per cent of the opening NAB Cup game.

"We don't want to put him in a hole that he can't get out of, so we just have to be slow with Trent, and his body will catch up at some stage," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

Brett Deledio says Dustin Martin has led an impressive pre-season by Richmond's brigade of younger players.

"He (Martin) has come in and played some good footy early on. He has put a few of us older blokes to shame," Deledio said.

"He's nearly bigger than most of us and he wins a bit of his own footy".

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has copped an earful from the Tiger faithful about last year's disappointing season but says he admires their passion.

"We're a club with such a strong history of success that we define our success in terms of premierships. We haven't won one since 1980, so clearly we've been unsuccessful, but I think our people, their expectations remain high, they maintain the rage," Gale said.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers will continue their conservative approach with Trent Cotchin.

"He has done (everything) at a level we want him to. We could have pushed him, but we are prepared to wait. We have got to be patient with him because we expect him to be a player of the future for this club," Hardwick said.

"We're not prepared to rush him at any stage."

Damien Hardwick has some talented young talls at his disposal, but it will be veteran Troy Simmonds who will shoulder the ruck burden.

"Ruck is an important position, but it's also one where we've got a number of younger developing rucks", said Hardwick.

"It's too early to throw those guys into the rigours of AFL because it's a really hard position to play."

"Troy provides a mature, tough body that can carry the loads of AFL."

Richard Tambling says his improved form in 2009 was the result of a better mental approach towards football thanks to sessions with a hypnotist from outside the club.

"Last year was the turning point. I went and cleared all that stuff up from my head because there was a lot of pressure from the media and our own fans," he said.

"I put too much pressure on myself and didn't allow myself to play my natural footy."

Richmond draftee Troy Taylor has been charged with assault following an incident in Alice Springs on New Year's Eve and will face a Northern Territory court later this month.

"We knew Troy had a number of issues he was dealing with when we drafted him," Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said in a statement released by the club.

"The Richmond Football Club has a professional network of support helping Troy address his issues but we have also advised Troy that he needs to take personal responsibility for the decisions he makes."

Damien Hardwick is willing to give Troy Taylor a second chance despite the troubled recruit still being under police investigation for assault.

"As a kid we all made mistakes and Troy admits that and is willing to accept the consequences of his actions. He's a player we think we can have an enormous future with," Hardwick said.

Richmond's Nathan Foley has had minor ankle surgery and is doubt for the start of the 2010 season.

"Nathan had been progressing well with his rehabilitation program, but has experienced some soreness in the last week," Richmond elite performance manager Matt Hornsby said.

"The medical staff decided the best course of action was for him to have minor surgery.

"The surgery will prevent him from running for the next couple of weeks, and we will continue to take a cautious approach with his recovery."

Trent Cotchin says he is getting over his injuries with the help of the conditioning staff at Richmond.

"The conditioning staff have been terrific. They have written up an individual program that's been very well structured and one that my body is handling quite well," Cotchin said.

"I'm training twice a week with the main group and on Wednesday I do a triathlon at the club with the rehab group. I suppose there's less pressure to be out on the track and to just make sure you're right before going out there."

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says the players have seen new coach Damien Hardwick's intensity but he is not as tough as they first thought.

"He's not as hard as everyone thought he was going to be," Riewoldt told

"But he has got that mean streak about him that we've seen a bit of, that intensity.

"We've got a young coaching staff and a new vibrant game plan, which we're all looking forward to putting into place."

An alleged incident involving Richmond draftee Troy Taylor is being investigated by Northern Territory Police.

Taylor is alleged to have been involved in an assault during a scuffle at a New Year's Eve party.

"The Richmond Football Club takes any allegation of player misbehaviour very seriously," a statement from the Tigers read.

"Richmond has been in contact with the AFL and has informed it of the club's knowledge of the matter."

Robin Nahas credits his former VFL coach from Port Melbourne, Gary Ayres, for helping him break into the AFL.

"Gary Ayres was just fantastic. He put me in a position where I had a chance to get drafted. He told me what areas I needed to work on, what area of the ground I should play and what role I needed to play," Nahas said.

Matthew Richardson accepts a position in Richmond's commercial operations department.

"Brendon (Richmond CEO Brendon Gale) wanted me where I had a key role and where I had something to do, and I'm actually contributing and I've got goals that he wants me to achieve." Richardson said.

St Kilda recruit and ex-Richmond Tiger Adam Pattison says he is not bitter at his former club for delisting him.

"I don't want to be bitter towards Richmond. I had a few problems with my body last year that I needed surgery on and I played a little bit injured throughout the year," Pattison said.

"I had hip and ankle issues and had some post-season surgery, but now I'm feeling as fit and strong as I ever have and I'm 23 and I think my best footy is ahead of me.

"I'm just looking forward to the opportunity at St Kilda and starting a new chapter."

Ben Cousins undergoes surgery to fix injuries to his left hand and shoulder.

"Ben underwent surgery to his left hand during the week," football operations manager Ross Monaghan said.

"He had experienced some discomfort recently and the club thought it would be best to have this relatively minor surgery to correct the problem during the pre-season."

Richmond draftee Matt Dea, taken with pick No. 44 in the 2009 NAB AFL draft, has only recently made the switch from basketball to football.

"I played basketball, and made the switch to footy late this year, and I guess it's paid off," he said.

"I only played three TAC Cup games this year, but that was good experience - so not too many, not as many as the other boys, but hopefully it won't show.

"I just started playing with the school side and started really enjoying it, and then the guys at the (Ballarat) Rebels started saying I should have a real crack, and here we are."

The hard work can't come soon enough for Dustin Martin after being drafted by Richmond with pick No. 3.

"I've had a look around and it looks pretty good - I just can't wait," he said.

"I met the coach on Thursday night, and I've met a few of the other boys who got picked up, too. I just can't wait to get out and start training."

Hawthorn is considering drafting an experienced ruckmen, one of Chris Bryan, Cameron Cloke, John Meesen, Adam Pattison or Wayde Skipper on Thursday night.

Former Tiger and Bulldogs star Nathan Brown formally announces his retirement from AFL football.

"The final decision was made today, but probably since the the end of the season I knew that I was going to go down that path,'' Brown said.

''There was a bit of interest from St Kilda late, (but) we decided that my groin probably wasn't going to stand up to another year of football."

Matthew Richardson will assess his options after being offered several offers to work in the media.

"I'm not trying to overcook it, but it is fair to say that we have had a lot of offers from television and radio, and even footy clubs from the country just wondering if he wanted to play with them next year," Richardson's manager Richard Nixon said.

New Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says the competition will be the poorer for losing Matthew Richardson.

"There's no doubt that he was a giant of the game, and I reckon it'd be fair to say there'd be 15 other AFL coaches who are happy he's retired," Hardwick said.

"He's had a stellar career, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed watching from afar.

"It's disappointing from a selfish point of view - I would have loved to coach the great man - but it wasn't to be."

Matthew Richardson accepted on Monday that his body just wasn't up for an 18th AFL season.

""I had a pretty ordinary medical diagnosis on Monday which sort of confirmed the gut feeling that I already had, that my body was not going to be able to stand up to another year of AFL football," he said.

"I guess I couldn't look people around the club, and the supporters, in the eye by saying I was ready to go when deep down I knew that I wasn't."

Richmond forward Matthew Richardson has decided his body isn't up to another season of AFL football.

"I wanted to see how I pulled up after a few weeks of training before I made a final decision, but the hamstring is just not good," Richardson said.

"It hasn't felt right when I've been running and the medical prognosis with it isn't positive.

"So, weighing everything up, it is definitely the right time for me to retire.

Richmond captain Chris Newman says the club will try to fly under the radar this pre-season.

"It's a total revamp. We've turned the club into a really young club, and it certainly feels like that at this stage," he said.

"We're not going to make any bold statements, but we want to be able to set something up during summer and over time become a team that can mix it up with the best in the competition."

Richmond has delisted Graham Polak but still has the option of redrafting him as a mature-aged rookie.

"We will investigate the opportunity of offering Graham Polak a position on our rookie list through the 2009 Rookie Draft, but this will obviously not be confirmed until after the draft has taken place'', Richmond general manager of football Craig Cameron said.

Richmond has cut Graham Polak, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Cleve Hughes, Nathan Brown, Mark Coughlan, Kayne Pettifer, Adam Pattison, Dean Putt and Jarrod Silvester.

Jay Schulz says he is happy with the move from Richmond to his new club, Port Adelaide.

"It was probably the best decision for both Richmond and myself," Schulz said.

"This year was a rough one for everyone. I wasn't performing, which was fair enough, but I still think I've got a lot to give.

"I don't think I've achieved what my potential could allow me to achieve. Consistency has always been a thing for me. Hopefully, coming here, meeting the guys and having a set role will help me do that."

Richmond has offered Troy Simmonds a one-year deal as trade week draws to a close.

Richmond's Jay Schulz will head to Port Adelaide in exchange for Mitch Farmer.

Andrew Raines' AFL career will continue under Michael Voss after Richmond and the Brisbane Lions agreed to a trade on Monday.

The Tigers received Brisbane's third round pick at no. 44 in exchange for Raines.

Graham Polak is out of contract but says he is determined to continue with Richmond next year.

"I felt like I exceeded what I was expected to do and I can only build on that from now," Polak said.

"If I get the chance to stay, I'll be taking that with both hands and look forward to playing more good footy."

Justin Leppitsch becomes the next member of Damien Hardwick's new team at Richmond after being appointed assistant coach in charge of the Tigers' backline.

"I'm excited about the challenge, to join a group that is on the right path, and I'm really keen to work with a new group of coaches and players," Leppitsch said.

"I've never been involved in one of the bigger AFL clubs before, and I'm looking forward to learning about the history and tradition Richmond is famous for."

Midfielder Brett Deledio has beaten Daniel Jackson and skipper Chris Newman to win his second successive Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond's best and fairest.

Deledio becomes the youngest back-to-back winner at the club since Kevin Bartlett in 1967-68 and the youngest in the AFL since Michael Voss at Brisbane in 1995-96.

Ben Cousins has been re-signed by Richmond and will play with the club in the immediate future.

The announcement was made by club president Gary March at Richmond's best and fairest presentation.

Former Tiger Nathan Brown's manager says his client would benefit a club in the running for a premiership.

"The teams that may have interest in him are probably the ones that are still in the hunt, so as far as the level of interest in him playing on, it's still a little early to know," Brown's manager Dan Richardson said.

"At this stage he's focused on getting himself physically right. He had a little operation last week that was sort of similar to what Judd had and obviously recovered from."

Richmond midfielder Shane Tuck has agreed to be traded to another club despite being contracted at Punt Road for another year after falling out of favour with the club following the departure of previous coach Terry Wallace.

Former Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews reveals he tried to get Damien Hardwick as an assistant and says that Hardwick will succeed as the new head coach of Richmond.

"I offered Damien a job with the Brisbane Lions when he retired from Port so I have a great regard for his character and capabilities," Matthews said.

"I would think he should do very well."

Ben Cousins has unofficially come to terms with Richmond to play with the Tigers for at least one more season at an estimated $350,000 in 2010.

Richmond has told star forward Matthew Richardson it needs to know by December whether he intends to play on next year.

"They want him to play, there is a contract there, but it's a matter of whether he wants to play on or not," Richardon's manager Richard Nixon said.

"He wants some time to think about it. He wants to know in his own mind that his hamstrings are right and his mind is right. People keep coming up with deadlines.

"But there is no rush. The club says there is no rush. He can tell them in December because he's a veteran."