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Cousins returns to hospital

By Mr Dandalooa

Richmond is facing its own The Fevola Effect after news emerged recovering drug addict Ben Cousins now has a drinking problem.

There have been reports and whispers that Cousins has been told by club officials to lay off the booze after he was readmitted to hospital with stomach pains.

Cousins now remains in doubt for the Tigers’ season opener against Carlton.

The former West Coast Eagle, who was re-signed at the end of the 2009 season after playing 15 games, was first admitted to the Epworth Hospital last week for a ‘slight gastric inflammation’.

Tigers doctor Greg Hickey said in a statement that his symptoms have persisted.

“Ben is under the care of a gastroenterologist and at this stage it looks as if he will stay overnight,” 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 president Gary March did not confirm nor deny Cousins had been abusing alcohol, despite reports the issue had been raised with Cousins a number of times last year.

The club fears that the 31-year-old midfielder could further shorten his already tarnished and diminished career as a result of binge drinking, which the AFL is cracking down on following The Fevola Effect last year at the Brownlow medal count.

Cousins, who was sacked from West Coast for his drug addiction, has been regularly drug-tested by the AFL since the Tigers threw him a lifeline but he is now unlikely to play the season-opener against Carlton on March 25.

Cousins’ former manager Ricky Nixon, who split from the player last month, said he was concerned about Cousins’ lifestyle citing alcohol abuse and binge drinking to be prevalent.

The Tigers have closely monitored the former drug addict since recruiting him.