Ben Cousins retiring from AFL

CONTROVERSIAL midfielder Ben Cousins has announced his AFL retirement.

He paid tribute to his family and both the clubs he represented, West Coast and Richmond.

Cousins, 32, said he was proud to be able to leave the sport on his own terms.

"I am forever indebted to the (Richmond) football club for the opportunity to play footy again," Cousins told a packed media conference at Richmond's Punt Road headquarters.

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

Cousins said he planned to remain in Melbourne and hoped to have a continuing close relationship with Richmond, the only club prepared to take a gamble on him in the 2008 pre-season draft.

Cousins approached the Tigers last week, telling them he thought it was time to retire, even though on current form he remained one of the Tigers' better players.

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 play 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."