Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.
Advertisement
AFL

News

Hey, hey Cuz! Goodbye!

Hey, hey Cuz! Goodbye!

08/28/2010 01:12:02 AM

Colourful Richmond veteran Ben Cousins was serenaded from the field by his Tigers team-mates at the end of his final training session with the club at Punt Road on Saturday morning.

The 32-year-old barely raised a sweat during the session and did little to suggest that he had recovered sufficiently from a hamstring strain to play any meaningful role in his farewell match against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

Cousins spent more time signing autographs for the 300 Richmond faithful who turned up to wish him all the best.

It was while scribbling that he told supporters: "I'll play, but I don't know if I'll be at 80 percent, I'd like to be at 80 percent."

Rugged-up in a track suit, Cousins trained away from the main group and his work was confined to 10 minutes of stationary handball drills with assistant coach Wayne Campbell.

There was no running, no kicking and no other skills work.

At the end of the session, a reluctant Cousins was pushed to the front of the group to lead the players from the field.

As he entered the race, his Tigers team-mates burst into song with a chorus of "Na-na na-na, Na-na na-na, Hey hey! Goodbye!" from the 60's classic 'Kiss Him Goodbye' by Steam.

Asked about Cousins' prospects, senior coach Damien Hardwick smiled and said, "He'll play" as he followed the players off.

Cousins confirmed as much as he ran to his car soon afterwards.

"I'm not 100 percent, but I'll play," he said.

Cousins will leave the game on Sunday with 270 AFL appearances to his credit for West Coast and Richmond.

One of the most controversial figures of his era, Cousins has admitted to chronic drug abuse throughout his 15-year career.

 
Comments
Posted by Paul Spalding at
28/08/2010 02:51 PM
Are you sure the Na-na na-na .... wasn't from the Beatles Hey Jude ? Just a tad more well known LOL
Posted by roslyn jonsson at
28/08/2010 04:03 PM
Tomorrow when we see you carried off the footy field for the last time, is going to be bitter sweet for many of us, a few tears from me for sure, being a WCE supporter and a huge fan of yours Ben, but a smile also knowing your leaving via your own free will, and not being forced to go. Thank you Terry Wallace and the Richmond FC for throwing our much loved Ben Cousins his life line. Just wish our own club the WCE couldve done what you did. Your going to be sorely missed Ben. I hope the future holds for you more of the courage and the strength your going to need in your up coming challenges. Good bye Ben, from the mother of a drug addict.

You Might Also Like

Ruck showdown for Tigers
Ruck showdown for Tigers
05/15/2012 02:25:53 AM
Richmond say combating Essendon's ruck duo of Paddy Ryder and Tom Bellchambers will be critical in Saturday's night blockbuster at the MCG.
 
 
Hardwick keeps feet on ground
05/12/2012 12:40:50 PM
 
Classy Tigers hold off Swans
05/12/2012 09:20:07 AM
 
Acid test ahead for Tigers
05/10/2012 04:30:50 AM
 
Riewoldt insists he's injury free
05/08/2012 08:42:31 AM
 
Hardwick praises 'high calibre' Maric
05/06/2012 11:27:40 AM
 
Richmond snare breakthrough win
05/06/2012 08:09:54 AM
 
'No more honourable losses'
05/03/2012 02:51:34 AM
 
 
 

Most Read Articles

Ex-F1 driver turns to V8s
Ex-F1 driver turns to V8s
Motorsport
05/17/2012 12:26:09 AM
Former Formula One driver Christian Klien has joined Supercheap Auto Racing for this ...
 
 
Is this the true AFL Ladder?
AFL
05/16/2012 03:30:17 AM
 
Dalglish sacked as Liverpool manager
Football
05/16/2012 07:25:03 PM
 
Popovic to coach new Sydney team
Football
05/16/2012 09:45:34 PM
 
Galekovic hell-bent on ACL glory
Football
05/17/2012 12:37:28 AM
 
Cat Menzel says no to Adelaide
AFL
05/17/2012 01:06:34 AM
 
Modric hints at Tottenham exit
Football
05/16/2012 06:54:04 PM
 
Adelaide United snare win in Japan
Football
05/16/2012 11:19:39 AM
 
 
 

Fantasy AFL: Best Players

Our Say

Is this the true AFL Ladder?
Is this the true AFL Ladder?
Bren O'Brien
Take a look at what the AFL ladder would look like if games against the bottom three ...more
Crackers' Call: Same old story for Roos
Crackers' Call: Same old story for Roos
Peter 'Crackers' Keenan
I'm a life member of North Melbourne footy club and I've enjoyed my association with the ...more
 
Poll
Which NRL club is hit the hardest by Origin?