Montana+A+Current+Affair

My Current Affair Page! Welcome to my 'A Current Affair' page. Video The person my current affair is about is Ben Cousins.

How Ben is courageous to me is because he has had a career of drugs and to get on the footy field and just block out all the abuse on the feild is awesome! and also because anousing his retierment. i bet that he would be devistated.

Nine News article.

'Life and Times of Ben Cousins' The recovering drug addict said he felt it was the right time, despite speculation Richmond was prepared to offer him another one year contract. "I'm happy and proud with what I've achieved in footy and I just think it's the right time for everyone involved," he said.

"I'd like to thank the Richmond Football Club... I am forever indebted to the club.

"I understand there were associated risks with picking me up."

Cousins said he intended to explore several business opportunities away from the field and was keen to remain in Melbourne and stay involved with Richmond.

He also hinted he would like to begin some form of community work, to 'repay' those who helped him through his darkest days.

"I'm under no illusions that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the same support that I received."

"The thing that I have learnt over the past 15 months is how important family is and I'd like to thank my great parents... for their unconditional and unwavering support through the good times and the bad."

Despite the Tigers' struggles, Cousins' time at the club has been mostly successful on-field, though it hasn't been without its off-field moments.

He was suspended for one match by the club earlier this year for misbehaviour over an incident following an away match in Sydney and the Tigers have had to publicly defend Cousins against allegations of binge drinking. There was also a health scare in early July when the club said he had been hospitalised because of a bad reaction to a sleeping tablet. Since then, Cousins' form has been flawless. He has been the Tigers' best player over the last month and performed well again in the 89-point defeat to Carlton last Saturday. "The thing that I'll miss the most about playing is game day... rocking up in anticipation of a contest and running out that race looking over my shoulder and walking taller because of the blokes around me." He will complete his career with Richmond's final two games against St Kilda and Port Adelaide.

"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."

He paid tribute to many current and former office-holders at Richmond including coach Damien Hardwick and his predecessor Terry Wallace, CEO Brendon Gale, president Gary March, general manager of football Craig Cameron, captain Chris Newman and the players.

And Cousins also thanked the people at West Coast, the club where he played the majority of his celebrated career.

Hardwick paid tribute to the influence Cousins had on his young side.

"From a coaching perspective we would like him to have played another year ... but from a personal point of view we understand," said Hardwick.

" ... the Richmond football club as a whole is a better club for having him come through our environment."