Former Brownlow Medal winner Ben Cousins has opened up on his return to a standard life after an extended and public battle with drug habit.
The 44-year-old had a troubled finish to his soccer profession, resigning his captaincy at West Coast in 2006 after fleeing an RBT earlier than it was revealed he had a substance abuse downside.
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Cousins spend time in rehab in the identical yr earlier than he was arrested for drug possession the next yr.
He was delisted and banned from the AFL for 12 months, ending his time at West Coast after a Brownlow Medal in 2005, the 2006 premiership, six All-Australian choices and 238 video games.
In 2009, Cousins did return to the AFL, taking part in the ultimate two seasons of his profession at Richmond.
After his profession, Cousins’ life spiralled uncontrolled, resulting in a public battle with medicine and authorized points, together with serving a 12-month jail sentence in 2017 for stalking the mom of his kids Maylea Tinecheff.
However in more moderen occasions, Cousins appeared match and wholesome and has come clear on how tough his restoration has been.
Talking in Bunbury over the weekend alongside 2018 West Coast premiership hero Dom Sheed, Cousins revealed he was lastly joyful once more.
“It simply will get again to being joyful and for a very long time, I hadn’t been and I had these fleeting moments the place I assumed I used to be kidding myself simply to try to get by,” he stated.
“It’s been a giant battle however right now I sit right here and it’s not in any means in regards to the issues I’ve given up or had to surrender or sacrifice, it’s all about issues I may give again.”
Cousins additionally spoke about his transfer to the Tigers, sharing his gratitude the membership gave him likelihood, The West Australian reported.
“I performed nearly all of my soccer at West Coast and by no means as soon as did I entertain the concept of leaving West Coast or did I ever see my future being something apart from a one-team participant however clearly what occurred, occurred,” he stated.
“One of many nice issues about that entire scenario was the chance that I received to play for Richmond who have been form of courageous sufficient to take it on and decide me up.
“I used to be determined to play, I used to be no assure to get picked up and there was a circus that form of adopted me for the previous 12 or 18 months.
“As a lot as I’d have cherished for it to be only a soccer resolution, it actually wasn’t.
“I’m endlessly grateful. (Richmond) have been a improbable membership to play for.
“I had two fairly powerful years on discipline however it’s been superb to be at that footy membership at the moment with a handful of that core group that was in a position to go on and construct one thing from these days and win these three grand finals and have that dynasty.”
Over the previous few years, there have been indicators Cousins has been getting his life collectively, making a excessive profile look on the Brownlow Medal pink carpet in 2021 and captaining a neighborhood charity soccer match in Perth in January.
Cousins’ improved psychological wellbeing was matched together with his bodily look as he confirmed off a trimmed physique when making his return to soccer final yr for the Queens Park Bulldogs within the Perth Metro Soccer League.
In October final yr, Cousins was named “worker of the month” on the Perth development firm he works at as a full-time scaffolder.
He has even impressed on TV in a weekly section on 7 Information Perth.
