Ben Cousins' new AFL club has already laid down the law to its new recruit, saying his proposed television documentary will not see the light of day without the Tigers' approval.

Cousins has spent the past 12 months being filmed for what is understood to be a tell-all account on his life and struggle with drug addiction.

The 30-year-old's every move has been followed by a camera crew, with all three commercial television networks and overseas buyers reported to be interested in forking out big money for the rights.

But Cousins' hopes of having the documentary go to air within the next year could be in jeopardy if Richmond don't like what they see.

Tigers general manager of football Craig Cameron said the club would have power of veto over Cousins' project following their decision to throw the Brownlow Medallist a football lifeline.

"We haven't seen the documentary at this stage, and we'll pass judgement on that once we have (seen it)," Cameron said.

"It won't air without the Richmond footy club seeing it and it won't air without us giving it permission to go to air."

Cousins is understood to have funded the documentary himself, and could well be counting on the resulting windfall after agreeing a cut-price one-year deal with Richmond to resurrect his football career.

The documentary is likely to feature interviews with several high-profile AFL identities, including Kevin Sheedy, the prime mover in brokering his move to Richmond.

Cousins' former West Coast coach John Worsfold and Collingwood's Mick Malthouse are others believed to feature in footage shot so far.

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