Ben Cousins was drafted by Richmond in 2009 for his mental welfare, not football ability

Former Richmond coach Terry Wallace says Ben Cousins was drafted by the club in 2009 for his mental welfare, not his ability to play football.

Cousins played 32 games for the Tigers after being sacked by West Coast in 2007 and banned for twelve months by the AFL in 2008.

Wallace has told Channel Nine after meeting with Cousins, the club feared for his welfare if they chose not to offer him a lifeline.