Cousins was the final senior-listed player drafted in the AFL this year when the Tigers picked him up with the last pick in the 2008 NAB AFL pre-season draft.
The contrast was undeniable at Punt Road on Wednesday morning. Cousins might have been last-picked but he is most-watched. Simply running onto the ground brought a huge roar from the Tiger army.
Actually kicking the ball had them in raptures.
There were plenty of trademark grins as Cousins found himself back in a proper footy environment for the first time since the end of the 2007 season. He shook hands with his new teammates, displaying the number 32 he will wear for the Tigers in season 2009.
The crowd kept increasing throughout the session – every time a train stopped at Richmond Station, another group of 20 or 30 fans arrived at Punt Rd.
Coach Terry Wallace surveyed his kingdom from the centre circle, rugged up in his full Tigers regalia.
It wasn’t all about Cousins, though – when the 30-year-old was running laps with oldest Tiger Matthew Richardson, “you’re still my favourite, Richo!” was heard more than once from the gathered throng.
But now the hard work begins. Cousins hasn’t played a competitive game of football since September 2007, when he tore his hamstring in the qualifying final against Port.
Only time will tell if the Tigers' gamble will pay off.
