Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins says he still loves playing football and hopes he can find the form required to warrant playing on for another AFL season.

The 31-year-old former West Coast skipper's start to his second season with the Tigers has been interrupted by illness, injury and a club-imposed suspension.

But the recovering drug addict denied rumours that his off-field behaviour had slipped over the summer or that his attitude towards the game had wavered and he was contemplating retirement.

"I have had an interrupted start to the season," Cousins told Fox Sports on Tuesday night.

"(But) I think this time last year most people would have said I had no chance of getting an extension on my contract.

"I went on and got some continuity in my training and playing and I thought I played some reasonable footy.

"I'm of the opinion that barring any bad luck I'll be able to play footy of the calibre I did last year, if not better, which I'm hoping will warrant a lengthy discussion about whether it's worth going on next year."

Cousins said while it might appear from outside he was not enjoying playing for the struggling Tigers, that was not the case.

"Wins have been hard to come by, but I've got a real enjoyment out of seeing the development and helping fast-track the development of some of the younger players," he said.

He said the realisation that the end of his career was approaching had only enhanced his appreciation of the game.

The 2005 Brownlow Medallist and 2006 West Coast premiership player said he felt "forever indebted" to the Tigers for giving him a second chance in the AFL after being banned for the 2008 season for bringing the game into disrepute.

He said he hoped to remain with the club beyond his playing days and felt he already had a de facto coaching role given the youth of the squad.

"I've really enjoyed settling in at Richmond, it's been a tough go on-field, but I'd like to in a playing capacity see them get out of that tough period for as long as I can," he said.

"Then if it was possible I'd like to stay around the club and help them out."

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