Ben Cousins Biography

Ross Lyon sheds light on why St Kilda rejected Ben Cousins as a recruit at the end of 2008.

"He really opened up at being on cocaine for a long time and how it had graduated to a more serious substance, but that he was basically clean at that stage," Lyon said about his meeting with Cousins at the time.

"I did more research on drug addiction and the different substances. The players were really keen to get Ben, but really simply, there was a split view.

"We went to a board meeting at the top of Collins St, off site. And it went to vote. But it became really simple once the president and the coach were out. Andrew Thompson was really strong. He said it was really simple. If they are out, we are out as a club."

The St Kilda playing group had made it known it wanted Cousins as a teammate.

"They were shocked, the next day I went in and they all had their heads dropped," Lyon said.

Former West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold maintains he did everything he could for Ben Cousins right up until the relationship between the Eagles and the Brownlow Medal winner reached a breaking point.

Worsfold met with the fallen AFL star for the first time in years as part of a Channel Seven documentary.

"I did my absolute best to hold him accountable to the values that we wanted to live at West Coast," Worsfold said.

"In the end we couldn't align on those and there had to be a break. Ben decided that, outside his professional time, in his personal time he needed to live a certain way."

Cousins' life spun out of control in retirement, his issues with drug dependency resulting in him spending time in jail, where he watched West Coast's 2018 grand final win over Collingwood.

"Oh, I am sorry, I am remorseful," Cousins said of his negative influence on the Western Australian powerhouse.

"And the fallout from that has been pretty significant on the club. So, it has taken a while since that time for the club to find itself back in a position like it is today."

Ben Cousins has been offered a part-time job with the Eagles following his release from prison after serving a 12-month sentence.

"This has been a particularly hard time for Ben and his family and we look forward to him beginning the next phase of his life," a statement from the Eagles said.

"He has been offered part-time employment by the club, working with our community and game development department, which we believe will have mutual benefits for both parties."

Ben Cousins is sentenced in Perth Magistrates Court, having previously pleaded guilty to 11 offences, including aggravated stalking, breaching a violence restraining order and drug possession.

Cousins was willing to do 12 months of drug rehabilitation, but a Perth magistrate has instead ordered him to spend one year in prison.

Cousins, who was supported by his father, had a full beard and was wearing the same T-shirt he wore the previous day to court.

His lawyer, Michael Tudori, said the 2005 Brownlow medallist had "hit rock bottom" with his heavy drug usage, which caused psychosis.

"It's the root of all his problems," he said.

Mr Tudori said while Cousins had been reluctant to address his addiction, his five weeks in prison changed him.

"The ultimate master of his own destiny is himself," he said.

"No one can force him, but he's at the stage where he accepts that he needs to grab the hand of help.

"He needs intensive therapy."

Ben Cousins is set to be a noticeable absentee when West Coast's 2006 premiership side is honoured before the Eagles' clash between the Eagles and Bombers in Perth.

Members of the 2006 flag side will be paraded to the crowd, and will form a guard of honour for the current team.

As part of the 10-year premiership anniversary celebrations, a private dinner has been planned for Friday night.

But Cousins isn't expected to attend either event following his ongoing battle with drug addiction.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is uncertain what can be done to help Ben Cousins whose battle with drug addiction continues to escalate.

"We will do whatever we can. Part of the issue is what to do is not evident," McLachlan said.

"But be very clear: the AFL will take on whatever role we can to help Ben.

"We are in a much better place to have the right type of relationships (with clubs) and to understand the issues."

Ben Cousins is involved in another bizarre incident in Western Australia.

Police took Cousins to hospital on Sunday night, after he was seen behaving erratically on Perth's Canning Highway.

"It really breaks my heart to see a real champion of the game, who could be such a positive role model, even now, even after so much has gone wrong for him," former Richmond teammate Rance told the AFL Exchange podcast.

"I just feel for his family, and really close friends who care for him. I just hope he can get better and find a bit of peace in his life."

Former Richmond coach Terry Wallace has lifted the lid on the club's first meeting and decision to recruit fallen Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins.

Wallace said the meeting was 'strange' and was concerned by Cousins' erratic movements after the midfielder took an extended bathroom break.

"Five minutes pass, 10 minutes pass, 20 minutes pass, 25, 30 minutes pass and he hadn't come out of the loo. I was sitting there wondering what the heck was going on," Wallace said.

"Clearly what it said to me was that this was a young man that was in a very bad way."

Wallace left the meeting still unsure of whether Cousins was worth the risk.

"We did sit back in a board meeting and say 'if this young man, we decide to not give him an opportunity of getting his footy together, which means getting his life together, as a board how would we sit if in 8-10 weeks, all of a sudden we woke up one morning and there was a news bulletin and something horrific had happened'," Wallace said.

"(We) believed he was in that stage where that could've possibly been the case."

Ben Cousins makes a return to Tigerland in a rare public foray back into the footy world he once dominated.

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale tweeted a picture of himself with Cousins on Wednesday afternoon, with the 2005 Brownlow medallist looking healthy and in good spirits.

Former West Coast skipper Chris Judd says public perception of the Eagles' drug culture in 2006 was overblown.

Judd's comments come following former Eagle Daniel Chick's claims of rampant drug use by players during West Coast's 2006 premiership-winning season.

"There's no doubt that there was a small group of players that had some drug issues and that's been well documented, but I think the perception from the outside looking in was that there was 45 players on the list running around Perth running riot, and obviously that was not the case," Judd said.

"We wouldn't have been able to play the sort of footy that we did if that was the case.

"With Cuz (Ben Cousins) and some of the issues he faced there was certainly that perception going around, but my time at West Coast will just be remembered as a group of players that were really driven to achieves success and worked their butts off to get there."

Former Eagles player Daniel Chick claims that there was a toxic culture of illicit drug use within the Eagles' 2006 AFL flag-winning team.

Chick told the Herald Sun that he and former teammates Daniel Kerr and Ben Cousins took massive doses of asthma drug prednisone in a pattern experts describe as bizarre and inappropriate.

The Eagles respond by saying that they were "extremely disappointed by the content, timing and publication of some unsubstantiated claims".

"The club and its medical staff are deeply offended by these allegations and will discuss internally an appropriate course of action," West Coast said in a statement.

"When the club faced some challenges with its playing group a decade ago, it took steps to address those issues.

"It voluntarily undertook its own investigation, the AFL also initiated an independent investigation (by Victorian Supreme Court Judge Bill Gillard) and neither revealed the issues and allegations raised by Daniel in this story, all of which are strongly refuted.

"The club is now recognised as a leader in the area of player welfare and integrity in the country."

Mick Malthouse says he was "absolutely shocked" to discover troubled ex-AFL star Ben Cousins started taking drugs while he was coaching him at West Coast.

"I was probably as naive as anyone, because even when I've come over here to coach Collingwood and then they said about Ben Cousins, I was first of all absolutely shocked. Totally shocked," Malthouse told SEN radio.

"And then when he did his interview and said, `I started dabbling in 1996 or `97', or whenever it was.

"I thought, `I was coaching then. I didn't know that. Why didn't I know that? I don't know whether all the players knew that. And if they did know that, no one was talking'."

Ben Cousins has appeared in a Perth court over a bizarre incident in Perth's south-eastern suburbs.

The former West Coast captain is charged with causing property damage and trespassing related to his odd behaviour in Canning Vale in March, including climbing onto the roof of a two-storey house.

Cousins, 36, was earlier seen driving erratically and taking photographs of a Sikh temple.

He was hospitalised for a mental health assessment after the incident.

An arrest warrant has been issued for disgraced AFL premiership player Ben Cousins after he failed to appear in a Perth court on traffic offences.

Cousins, 36, had been on bail and was due to face Fremantle Magistrates Court on Wednesday but did not show up.

His lawyer Aidan Kraus claimed the former West Coast Eagles captain had conflicting medical appointments.

Magistrate Steven Malley ordered that Cousins must produce written evidence of his medical appointments before 4pm Perth time or an arrest warrant would be issued.

Kraus said he had seen a photograph of the document but the court still required a hard copy.

He told AAP the document was submitted later to the court but the magistrate rejected it.

Just before 4pm, a spokeswoman confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued.

Sergeant Simon Baxter told Fairfax radio that police were now looking for Cousins and he could spend the night in police lock-up if he is arrested on Wednesday evening.

"The best thing for him is to hand himself in," Sgt Baxter said.

Former West Coast coach, and current Carlton coach, Mick Malthouse says Ben Cousins should no longer be considered a hero to footy fans.

"Ben is not a hero anymore," Malthouse told radio FIVEaa radio.

"Make no mistake, he was a hero when he started playing.

"I am mortified that I was there (coaching in the AFL) in 2008, '09, '10, to think that he was on those drugs – I am mortified.

"That's total naivety or he certainly hid it from me."

Eagles captain Shannon Hurn says troubled former players Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr are an important part of his club's history, but that it is time to move on.

"While they're part of our history, at the moment we're here trying to play footy and trying to win games," Hurn said.

"That's our main focus. But we certainly wish them all the best and hopefully they can get back to living a normal life."

Ben Cousins has been arrested after an alleged police pursuit in Perth.

A 36-year-old man, believed to be Cousins, has been charged with reckless driving, failing to stop and failing to comply with a breath analysis request.

WA police attempted to pull over an erratic driver on Preston Point Road in the Perth suburb of Bicton around 10.30pm on Wednesday night.

After failing to stop, the driver was arrested on the corner of Gill and Solomon Streets in Mosman Park.

WA police confirmed the driver would appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court on April 8.

Ben Cousins has reportedly been attacked at a park in Perth.

Police have confirmed there was a verbal argument between two men in East Fremantle Park, in Erwin Street at 6.45pm (EST) on Sunday night.

The 35-year-old Brownlow Medal winner was in the park when he was approached by a man yelling "I am going to kill you", a witness told The West Australian.

During the scuffle one of the men was thrown to the ground, police said. The two men then left the location in separate vehicles.

Chris Judd says troubled former teammate Ben Cousins deserves to be inducted to the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible next year.

"In my eyes he'd be in," Judd told the Herald Sun.

"I'm no expert. I don't know who does or doesn't get in. But I would have thought what he achieved on-field would be enough to earn him Hall of Fame status, under the proviso I couldn't tell you what the criteria is for judging it."

Ben Cousins will make a brief playing return in 20123 when he fronts up for two games for the Mullewa Saints in WA's Great Northern Football League.

Ben Cousins has been fined $800 by a Perth magistrate on two sets of drugs charges.

Trent Cotchin says Ben Cousins still provides advice to his former teammates at the Tigers.

"He's a fantastic guy off the field - I hadn't had much to do with him away from the club and he liked to live his own life," Cotchin said on Fox Footy's On The Couch.

"It's sad to hear what he's had to go through, especially with a little boy. But he's always there for support and he still speaks to a couple of the guys, just about their football, and how they can improve."

Ben Cousins has been charged with cannabis possession after being pulled over by police.

A lawyer for Ben Cousins says the former AFL star won't go to jail even if convicted of a drug offence due to the small amount of methamphetamine he was allegedly caught with.

Ben Cousins is released from police custody for the second time in two days, after being charged for drug offences.

"He's been charged with possessing methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply," a police spokeswoman said.

Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says he did not recruit Ben Cousins in 2008 because he was warned of a relapse.

"This is what I was told: 'Accept it, Michael, it's going to happen; he is never going to be free," Malthouse told 3AW radio.

"'You can draft him and take him on for three or four years, and he will not get through that period without having a setback. 'It might be a girlfriend, it might be a bad game, it might be bad media, it might be an injury; something will set it off.'

Fallen football star Ben Cousins is recovering in hospital after reportedly injuring himself during a fall at a rehabilitation centre.

Ben Cousins will make his country debut after registering as a player for Riddell District Football League club Romsey.

"He's now a registered Romsey player and I'm just waiting to hear back from him on which home game suits for his first game," Romsey coach Mark Pederson said.

"We'll get the first game out of the way and if he enjoys that hopefully he'll come back for more."

Ben Cousins has taken on a voluntary role as a mentor to young players at WAFL club East Perth.

"Ben, if he were fit and healthy, would make a great coach anywhere but for the moment he has just taken on a small voluntary role," Royals football operations manager Mark Winnett said.

"He is enjoying it and we're enjoying having him. He's been teaching a handful of young guys ... and has invaluable advice and information for young players."

Retired Tiger Ben Cousins will be dropped from the Nova team next year to be replaced by Luke Hodge as their resident footy expert.

"Ben has been so professional the whole time he has been with us and is a fabulous person to work with," Nova general manager Sam Thompson said.

"The way we've always done the footy section of the show is to have current players reporting, who is actually experiencing the games and can tell it how it actually was."

Ben Cousins says Richmond stood up for him when he needed it most after saying goodbye to football in a 10-point loss to Port Adelaide.

"I'm the master at disguising my emotions - it's probably one of my problems sometimes, I'm always running from something, but there's nothing wrong with getting emotional, footy's an emotional game," Cousins said.

"Today's nothing but a good day - it would have been lovely to have a win, but aside from that, it's a day for me to celebrate all the good things that have happened to me."

The AFL has spoken with the AFLPA and Tigers officials about supporting recovering drug addict Ben Cousins post-football.

"If you are someone who has an addiction or has had illicit drug problems, we think it's incumbent on us as a code to make sure if you leave the system, we continue to offer support," AFL chief Andrew Demetrious said.

"I think that's probably the right thing for any compassionate organisation to do because we do want to see Ben continue his recovery."

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire explains why the club chose not to draft Ben Cousins in late 2008.

"At no stage did Ben actually ring me to say 'look I really want to come to this club'," McGuire said.

"At that stage it was we're all auditioning for Ben and his attitude was absolutely appalling. It was not about us at all, it was about us being a vehicle for Ben."

Richmond's Ben Cousins appears to have overcome any injury suffered last round, and will play his final AFL game against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

"All we want to do is send him off with a win," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"[To] sing that song one last time would be terrific for him."

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins has trained solidly as he looks to recover from a hamstring strain in time to play his last match.

"It'd be a great story for football and it would be a great story for Ben if he played on the weekend," teammate Jack Riewoldt.

"That is going to come down to Ben himself and I know he's not going to sell his teammates short. He is not going to go out there if he doesn't think he can play."

Ben Cousins talks about his upcoming documentary and his life at the time of his drug use to radio station Nova FM.

"I always had the same sort intensity even from the beginning. I attacked my social life, recreational drug use, the same way I did my footy and everything," Cousins said.

"...It became an outlet a way for me, an escape for me, a way of dealing and coping with things."

Ben Cousins is set to make his farewell appearance against Port Adelaide on Sunday after scans revealed no significant damage to his injured hamstring.

"Ben will continue to work with the Richmond medical and fitness staff over the next few days, and we are hopeful he will be fit for this Sunday's match against Port Adelaide," Tigers football manager Craig Cameron said.

Ben Cousins leaves the field with a hamstring injury during St Kilda's 21-point victory over Richmond which may mean his career will end in round 21 rather than round 22 as expected.

"He'll have scans at some stage and undoubtedly there'll be a cast of thousands down there this week to see whether he's up and going," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"We're pretty positive that with the right rehab and right recovery that he'll get up and play, but we'll obviously assess that during the week."

Ben Cousins announces his retirement from football saying he is happy to have been able to leave the game with dignity after rejuvenating his career at Richmond.

"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."

West Coast coach John Worsfold says Ben Cousins will be remembered as one of the greats of his former club.

"There's always great players running around that you just love watching and I think he was certainly one of those," Worsfold said.

"He was a good player to coach and certainly we'll all remember him as one of the great players of the West Coast Eagles."

Ben Cousins rarely let his his emotions get the better of him but when discussing his father's impact on his caeer he went close.

"I've put him through a hell of a lot at different times - he's my best mate," Cousins said.

"I'm just proud to be able to leave on my own terms, because I think it's in some way it's a bit of a compliment to what he's done. He's gone over and above what any father should have to, and he's happily done it. It's very much appreciated."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demtriou is critical of Channel Seven for its promotion of the controversial Ben Cousins documentary.

"I'm disappointed with the way it's been promoted. I think the Seven network has been ordinary in the way they've put it up ... without our knowledge, they were supoposed to work with us in the way it was promoted, but I found that pretty distasteful," Demetriou told radio station 3AW.

"They are all about ratings and exploitation."

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale hopes Ben Cousins' upcoming documentary can have a positive impact on those who watch it.

"If what Ben and his family have been through serves as an important lesson to others then it has been worth doing," Gale said.

"As we all know, Ben was in a very dark place. As a recovering drug addict, we believe his time at Richmond has helped him with his rehabilitation and we will continue to support him."

Ben Cousins future is being discussed and his captain, Chris Newman has given his stamp of approval for Cous to play on next year.

"He offers a lot of leadership on-field and off the field, and I think you could see it on the weekend - he was very clean with the footy and he's running on top of the ground," Newman said.

"I think the best thing with Ben is he's playing for his football career, so he's really enjoying it, and we're really enjoying playing with him."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says unlimited interchange rotations have accommodated older players, like Ben Cousins whose future may rest on the AFL's decision to limit the number of interchanges allowed.

"I think what we've had with four interchange players is it's allowed you to play guys a little bit older but the speed of the game can also take that away," Hardwick said.

"From our point of view, the important thing is we need to know early so we can plan."

Ben Cousins says sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis should have handled his departure from the Western Bulldogs with more grace.

"It is disappointing for Aker that he hasn't left the game probably in the way that he deserves and certainly in the way his talent deserves,'' Cousins said.

"(Leaving a club) is a really testing time. One of the things that I was proud about the way I handled that situation. I don't think the club was 100 per cent right and I don't think, definitely I wasn't. I didn't have to come out and take shots at people that I wasn't necessarily happy with and thought they had done the total right thing by me. There was nothing to be gained by it. I had to put my hand up and take responsibility for the part I played in it, which was a pretty big one."

Ben Cousins says nothing sinister was behind his recent hospitlisation due to a sleeping tablet and hopes to play against Fremantle on Saturday night.

"It's not illegal or anything untoward. It's something that's been prescribed to me with a fair bit of thought process ... it was just probably an error of my judgment," Cousins said.

"It was probably scarier for the people around me. I was lucky my girlfriend was there."

Ben Cousins has asked to be drug tested by the AFL to prove an illicit substance wasn't behind his admission to hospital.

Ben Cousins has been hospitalised after an adverse reaction to a sleeping tablet.

Richmond are invetigating the cause of Ben Cousins' collapse believed to have been caused by a cocktail of caffeine, alcohol and sleeping pills.

"We've got no suspicion that there was anything illicit involved," Richmond head of football Craig Cameron said.

"It's definitely concerning for his health. He's in hospital, in intensive care. His condition won't be known for another 24 hours, and that's concerning for sure. And we are worried about Ben's health."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Ben Cousins' future will be decided at season's end based on his form for the rest of the year.

"His last three to four weeks have been very, very good. He was probably pretty slow at the start, I reckon his first five or six rounds weren't great but he did have an interrupted pre-season so we'll make a decision towards the end of the year," Hardwick said.

"That will be a list management decision but he is doing all he can to propel himself forward."

Ben Cousins says he would like to continue to play for Richmond in 2011, despite rumours of his imminent retirement.

"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 again next year," Cousins said.

"I'm just really enjoying the games that I play. I've got a real enjoyment out of seeing the development and helping fast-track the development of some of the younger players."

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins says he shaved his head to avoid a drugs hair test because he didn't trust the AFL-backed testing process.

"I had, at the time - rightly or wrongly - very little faith in the people that were going to make a decision on my future being able to comprehend the results of that test," he said.

"Obviously there were some concerns with it, and I felt that the AFL was out to get me."

Former Richmond coach Terry Wallace is critical of Ben Cousins' role in trying to subdue a drunk Daniel Connors by punching him in the face.

"Why would Ben put himself in that situation late in an evening when you know someone is consuming that much alcohol," Wallace said.

"You try to get the player (Connors) out of there and if you can't control the player you try to get yourself out of there."

Wallace also said it was questionable whether Cousins should still be in the Tigers' side.

"One of the reasons he was there in the first place was the humanitarian side of it, to try to help this bloke who's been such a champion of the game to get himself right, but there is a football club to be run at the same time and the biggest problem he has is he is getting no continuity of football," Wallace said.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says suspended players Daniel Connors, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo and Ben Cousins have let him down after indulging in rowdy drunken antics at the team hotel in Sydney.

"I think all four have let me down. Dan needs to take some responsibility for his actions," Hardwick said.

"I just don't think they handled the situation well enough though. If someone actually had the balls to stand up and say 'Listen Dan, enough's enough, go to bed' [then] none of that would have happened."

Ben Cousins accepts responsibility for punching a Richmond teammate Daniel Connors in in an attempt to restrain him during a rowdy night fueled by alcohol at the team hotel in Sydney.

"I take responsibility for my actions for being in that situation," Cousins said.

"It became a question of, you know, trying to get him to calm down because of the security and not wanting to cause too much disruption.

"When something like that happens I guess everyone that was there or was involved has to ask themselves if they could have done more to prevent the situation from escalating.''

Richmond is investigating reports of player misbehaviour at the team's hotel in Sydney after the Tigers' loss to the Swans.

Several Richmond players, including veteran Ben Cousins, are under scrutiny after reports of drinking and unacceptable noise levels at the Inter-Continental Hotel until 3am.

Yound Tiger defender Daniel Connors is hit with an eight-week suspension, including a six-week ban from training with the club, after being intoxicated and engaging in unruly behaviour at the team hotel following the club's loss to the Swans in Sydney.

Ben Cousins, Luke McGuane and Dean Polo were also suspended for a match for their involvement in the incident.

Player agent Ricky Olarenshaw has apologised for broadcasting rumours about Ben Cousins allegedly having once again gone off the rails and contemplating retirement.

"On Tuesday I spoke on this program about some rumours than were circulating that Ben Cousins may have lost his way, and an announcement was imminent about his future," Olarenshaw said on Gold FM.

"I spoke with Richmond Football Club and his management during the week and they assured me his knee problem kept him out of Round 2 and he is in a good place mentally and physically at the moment and there is no question about his future at the club.

"I apologise for airing those rumours and putting Ben Cousins and the Richmond Football Club unfairly in the spotlight and causing unnecessary upset to Ben."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Ben Cousins will play for the side for as long as his form permits despite the veteran being under scrutiny for his indifferent form in round 1 and a recent knee injury.

"He's the first to admit that pre-Christmas he had a few things on his mind, but from Christmas onwards he's been outstanding. He had that illness for a while so he missed probably four sessions, but he's been very good for us," Hardwick said.

Eagles captain Darren Glass says Nic Naitanui is becoming the new hero at the club.

"There is no doubt he is the hero, he's the man at West Coast," Glass said.

"I have seen it with Cousy, I have seen it with Juddy and I see it now with Naitanui. It's quite good for the rest of us as we are able to sit back and watch because the kids love him. He really is the talk of the town, which is exciting."

The Herald Sun reports that a coronial inquest has revealed drug-related incidences witnessed by Ben Cousins on the night his friend, West Coast Eagles premiership player Chris Mainwaring, died.

These include Cousins seeing Mainwaring with cocaine on a plate and Mainwaring's wife Rani washing a quantity of cocaine down a sink.

Ben Cousins returns to training with the Tigers after twice being admitted to hospital due to stomach pains leading Tigers captain Chris Newman to believe that Cousins could be available for round 1.

"The way he was going, he was pretty vibrant this morning. I would expect him to play, I would be pretty surprised if he didn't," Newman said.

"He trained this morning really and seemed like he was back to his normal self. At this stage I would expect him to play in Round 1."

Ben Cousins is locked in a battle over his controversial book due to be published that details his drug use and gangland connections.

The Herald Sun reports that the book is 75 per cent completed but its author Peter Wilmoth no longer associated with it.

Cousins has accepted an advance believed to be over $200,000 but is said to be dissatisfied with the current product.

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins has been released from hospital after tests as the club denies it has spoken individually with him about binge drinking.

"In response to media speculation raised today, the Richmond Football Club confirms that Ben Cousins has never been spoken to individually with regards to binge drinking," a statement from the Tigers said.

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins has been readmitted to hospital for further tests on continuing abdominal pain.

"Ben is under the care of a gastroenterologist and at this stage it looks as if he will stay overnight," Richmond club doctor Greg Hickey said.

"Unfortunately Ben's symptoms from last week have not yet fully resolved so we have asked for some more tests to be performed."

Richmond star Ben Cousins has been admitted to hospital after complaining of abdominal pains.

"Ben's condition does not appear serious but as a precautionary measure we would like some tests done to see what the problem is," Richmond's general manager of football Craig Cameron said.

Ben Cousins severs ties with his player manager Ricky Nixon after a 10-year relationship.

The fall-out is believed to be related to disputes surrounding Cousins' upcoming documentary and book deal.

Tigers star Ben Cousins has avoided a conviction in court for a traffic offence after an performing an unsafe U-turn from The Esplanade in Brighton in April last year.

Magistrate Graeme Keil said he was worthy of a diversion on the charge due to his recent good character.

The court was told Cousins had written a letter of apology to the victim.

Ben Cousins undergoes surgery to fix injuries to his left hand and shoulder.

"Ben underwent surgery to his left hand during the week," football operations manager Ross Monaghan said.

"He had experienced some discomfort recently and the club thought it would be best to have this relatively minor surgery to correct the problem during the pre-season."

Ben Cousins has been re-signed by Richmond and will play with the club in the immediate future.

The announcement was made by club president Gary March at Richmond's best and fairest presentation.

Ben Cousins has unofficially come to terms with Richmond to play with the Tigers for at least one more season at an estimated $350,000 in 2010.

Ben Cousins writes about returning to Subiaco to play his old side, West Coast, in the final round of 2009.

"I'm not worked up about it, but it's a game I've been been looking forward to," Cousins wrote.

"I'm curious to see the reception I get. I've got great memories of Subiaco Oval and the Eagles and I have a great sense of the occasion.

"It's another test, and why I wanted to come back and play this year, to test myself.

"The scrutiny or spotlight will be evident, but that's not an issue because it's been a part of my life for so long. Actually, I will enjoy every part of it."

Richmond caretaker coach Jade Rawlings says Ben Cousins' contribution to the club in his first season has been 'profound'.

"There are some people that have been involved in this club for 12, 13, 14 years that reckon what he's offered the club has been as profound as anyone," Rawlings said.

"His contribution to this footy club this year has been absolutely terrific.

"I rate Ben extremely highly. I've coached him over 11 games now, and my personal dealings with him have been absolutely terrific."

New Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will look closely at the futures of Matthew Richardson and Ben Cousins in the coming weeks.

"I still probably think he's in the top two to three players at this club, and he's 34," Hardwick said of Richardson.

"We'll make decisions on that in the coming weeks, but he's still a very talented player."

Former AFL players Doug Hawkins and Tony Shaw slam Lance Franklin's two-match ban for head-high contact with Ben Cousins.

"They've got to get it right because as a kid growing up that's what footy was about. People say, 'Oh, Buddy didn't tackle', well guess what? You don't have to tackle, you used to be able to bump," Hawkins said.

"Two weeks for that is just ludicrous. I'm disillusioned by the whole situation and I think the sooner the AFL work it out the better. "

Former Collingwood captain Tony Shaw concurred with Hawkins' assessment.

"It is so embarrassing at the moment. I'm all for protecting heads and spinal injuries and all that sort of thing, but you do have contact on the field and I've been involved in bumping bigger blokes where you will hit your head on their body and it's stiff cheddar," Shaw said.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans says the club wil take Lance Franklin's sanction to the tribunal on Tuesday night to contest a two-match suspension for his hit on Ben Cousins.

"I can't really comment on the case before we get there other than to say we've looked at it quite a bit and we don't believe that any player should be suspended for this," Evans told SEN radio.

"I think the best case here is to keep it nice and simple and to allow the tribunal members - who have all played football - to make their assessment from that."

The AFL tribunal found Hawthorn's Lance Franklin guilty of engaging in rough conduct against Ben Cousins on Tuesday night which means the star forward will not be available for an elimination final even if the Hawks beat Essendon this week.

"It didn't go our way so that's a very disappointing result for us," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"I find it a little distressing that in summing up we can regard someone's conduct as reasonable, but they can still miss two matches.

"It's very disappointing and we'll be following that up with Adrian tomorrow."

Lance Franklin can accept a one-match suspension for rough conduct due to a head-high bump on Richmond's Ben Cousins during the Hawks' win over Richmond.

Accepting the ban will mean that Franklin misses out on a match against the Bombers that could give the Hawks 8th spot on the ladder and a chance to play in an elimination final.

Richmond is optimistic Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins will recover from the concussion he sustained after a clash with Hawk Lance Franklin in time to travel to Perth next week to face his former side West Coast.

"He looked a bit groggy still after the game, but he sat through the meeting and seemed to be engaging reasonably well. I haven't had a full debrief on him yet," caretaker coach Jade Rawlings said.

"It was a pretty big hit and he looked like he was pretty keen to stay on, but with the way he walked, he was heading in a totally different direction to where the interchange bench was, which suggested he was in a bad way."

Ben Cousins says he was always confident of playing top-level footy after his drug troubles on the eve of his 250th game.

"I was always confident that I was able to make the grade. Whether I was going to get somewhere near my best, I'm not sure," Cousins said in an interview with Mark Robinson from the Herald Sun.

But I was confident I could play a year of senior footy if my body held up. "

Ben Cousins says the Tigers should bring back Matthew Richardson next year saying that age is not an issue for the veteran forward.

"There would be blood on the streets (if he isn't re-signed)," Cousins said.

"He keeps defying logic ... I'm just really looking forward to playing some footy with him."

Ben Cousins prepares for his 250th game with Tigers' interim coach Jade Rawlings praising the impact he has had on Richmond.

"There been a couple of good mature age recruits in the AFL this year and I'd suggest he'd been in the upper echelon of those," Rawlings said.

"We feel very fortunate. We had the courage to make the decision to get him here and now he's vindicated it with his form so far, so it would be good in this last month to see him finish off really well."

Jade Rawlings' bid to permanently take Richmond's reins received a huge tick from star recruit Ben Cousins and the bookies today.

Richmond brings in five players including Ben Cousins, Trent Cotchin and Nathan Brown for the round 17 clash with Essendon.

"They're good as gold - they were reasonable by game day last weekend, but they just hadn't done anything during the week and were still crook the day before the game, so we just didn't want send them out there under those circumstances," Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said.

"Nathan had a decent break to get himself right, then had two games to work himself into some form at Coburg."

Richmond caretaker coach Jade Rawlings says Ben Cousins has brought a new dimension to the club.

"We've scratched the surface a little bit of what he's dealing with, moving interstate and the history, and we have a good open discussion once a week, he and I," Rawlings said.

"Whether it starts with footy and goes elsewhere, I really look forward to those chats because he's a terrific guy.

"I rate him hugely and if it means I'm going over the top with my praise for him, I don't really care because I think he deserves it with how he's gone about it."

Ben Cousins is unlikely to know for several months whether he has a future at Richmond next year.

The Tigers intend to put Cousins's name, and those of other senior players with doubts on their careers, to the last-stage candidates for the senior coaching position before making their call on the 2005 Brownlow medallist.

Brett Deledio says he 'absolutely' wants Richmond to offer Ben Cousins a new contract for 2010.

"Ben's been fantastic. I can't speak highly enough of him," Deledio said.

"I never realised how much of a team player Ben was until you witness it first-hand.

"I haven't seen anyone drive as much to help out another teammate as he has, and to see his work rate on game day is phenomenal."

Ben Cousins is delighted for friend and former teammate Michael Gardiner, who kicked the winning goal for St Kilda yesterday against the unbeaten Cats.

"For him to stand up the way he did in such a big game, I was just rapt for him," Cousins said.

"He kicked four in the ruck, has taken a couple of contested marks in the clinches of the game. It was just fantastic."

Cousins also made comment on the challenges Gardiner faced in his comeback to football after being traded by West Coast.

"He has come over to Melbourne in the circumstances he has and hasn't been able to get his body right, which, for a player, I don't think people quite realise how frustrating and hard that is," Cousins said.

"That's probably why he took it out on some of those off-field indiscretions and why that came to the surface.

"To see him get his body right and playing the footy he is in a great side is good to see."

Richmond's skipper Chris Newman has had a baptism of fire in his new job.

Since he played his last game of last season, Chris Newman has been appointed club captain, welcomed the circus that was the arrival of Ben Cousins, endured a season of losses, seen off one coach, welcomed another and dealt with a raft of veteran players being axed from the side. And he has played a bit of football.

"It has been a year I have really learnt a lot about myself, and in a way has fast-tracked my development as a leader," he said.

"You would have to think it will get easier from here. But I do think I have grown from the experience. I guess I would rather have gone through what I have in the early stages so I am prepared for what is to come."

St Kilda onballer Lenny Hayes thinks Tiger Ben Cousins will have plenty to prove when he plays the club that decided he was too risky to draft.

"We expect nothing less from Cousins. We know he is a real professional, he is a real hard runner and he has been getting back to some of his best form. I'm sure he's looking forward to the game as well," Hayes said.

Richmond gives caretaker coach Jade Rawlings a first-up win in the AFL after the Tigers defeat West Coast, Ben Cousins' old side.

It is the game West Coast and Richmond fans have been waiting all year to see - Tiger Ben Cousins up against his former club.

While most of the AFL world is buzzing in anticipation ahead of Saturday's mouthwatering duel at Etihad Stadium, Eagles coach John Worsfold insists he's not one of them.

"I would expect that there's interest in it for a lot of people,'' Worsfold said.

"A lot of West Coast people will watch the game with an interest in how Ben goes and depending on their personal stance on it they'll either hope he goes well or won't be fussed.

"It's out of my control.

"It doesn't affect our preparation.''

Ben Cousins is facing a fine from the AFL for his one-finger salute to the change-room cameras.

Video footage will force Ben Cousins to explain his one-finger salute, while a lack of evidence has allowed him to avoid a possible charge.

"I spoke to the leadership group this morning. We'll all sit down and have a chat with Ben and deal with that all in the appropriate manner. But you can rest assured we're actually going to deal with the process," Richmond football manager Craig Cameron said.

Ben Cousins has been fined $10,000, with $7500 suspended for 12 months, for giving Channel 10's camera the bird on Saturday night.

"I apologised for raising my finger and explained that it was not a gesture I ever thought would go to air," Cousins said.

"I hadn't seen the footage until yesterday afternoon and wasn't aware of my facial expression.

"Once I viewed the footage I realised why the public, the AFL and the Richmond Football Club were offended by my actions."

The AFL demands Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins explain his one-finger salute to TV camera.

Richmond last night released a statement from Cousins: "It was never my intention to cause any offence.

"However, I appreciate that my actions could have caused offence to some people, and for that I apologise."

AFL bad boy Ben Cousins stunned the football world when he gave a change room TV camera the finger.

Cousins was going through his warm-up with Richmond teammates at Subiaco Oval when he looked at the in-room eye used by television during pre-game build-ups and gave it ''the bird''.

Richmond has given Ben Cousins the green light for another comeback with the champion midfielder set to return from a broken hand.

Richmond says Ben Cousins has overcome his hand injury and looks likely to play his first match in Perth since being sacked by the Eagles.

"He did what was required, so he's progressing well," Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said.

"We'll make a final decision on Thursday when we train properly, but all indications are that he should be okay, but a firm decision hasn't been made yet."

If Ben Cousins succeeds in his race to recover from a broken hand, he may find himself in a race against Fremantle speedster Stephen Hill.

Dockers coach Mark Harvey indicated this afternoon 19-year-old Hill was likely to get the job on Cousins should the 2005 Brownlow Medallist front up for his Perth homecoming in Saturday night's clash at Subiaco Oval.

"If we are going to come of age as a team we have to challenge our younger players and sometimes put them on the best players of the opposition," Harvey said.

"I just fleetingly mentioned it on the way here and he just smiled and kept walking, like he always does.

"I think he plays with experience, even though he's only nine games down the track he doesn't get flustered and he backs himself in."

Ben Cousins is back in the gym and the Tigers expect him to play in round 10 against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval after having plaster removed from his broken hand.

"He had the plaster off today and he's in here doing some gym work," Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said.

"We're hoping by early next week things have settled down, and we're hoping he's in a position to be able to play next week."

Ben Cousins has suffered another injury setback, breaking a bone in his hand in the opening minutes of Sunday's narrow loss to Port Adelaide.

"It was an extraordinary effort for Ben to play out the remainder of the match after being hurt so early," Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said.

"We are hopeful he will only be out for one match."

Ben Cousins has already registered on Port Adelaide's radar with Power ruckman Dean Brogan conceding that his side will have to pay attention to the Brownlow medallist.

"Cousins is back and we all know how good he looks, he's very fit. He played really well considering he missed a big chunk of footy," Brogan said.

"He'd be coming over here wanting to play well. He hasn't played here for a while so no doubt he's definitely on our radar. We can't let him get under our guard as he's a champion player."

At least Ben Cousins came through his second AFL comeback with the Tigers unscathed, if not a little exhausted.

Cousins had 22 disposals against the Lions in a loss at the MCG.

Ben Cousins has trained lightly ahead of his AFL return, with coach Terry Wallace declaring him "100 per cent and fighting fit".

Despite having only one VFL game under his belt, Ben Cousins is fit to play for Richmond, according to Tiger coach Terry Wallace.

"We left him an extra week. We took a precaution and we trained him for two weeks on the training track doing full training and full match play," Wallace said on Friday.

"So we always said if we took him the extra week on the training track doing match play, he'd only need the one game at Coburg.

"That was our plan, but he needed to get a kick. If he showed he wasn't in any form, we wouldn't have played him."

Richmond has recalled Ben Cousins to play in Saturday's game against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.

Richmond is non-committal on whether Ben Cousins will come into the seniors this week.

"Playing-wise, we won't decide that until Thursday. Coburg haven't got a game this weekend, they've got the bye, so he'll either play with us or won't play," Ross Monaghan, Richmond's football manager, said.

Ben Cousins' Coburg journey appears to be over and he is a likely starter against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday.

A large crowd is building at ABD Group Stadium in Coburg as Richmond's Ben Cousins prepares to make his return from injury.

Ben Cousins is in line for a return to Richmond next week after making an impressive return in the VFL.

Richmond will resist the temptation to throw midfielders Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin into the fray against Sydney opting instead to allow both players to regain form and fitness with VFL side Coburg.

Ben Cousins will remain on the sidelines for Richmond as the club seeks to take a conservative approach to their star recruit.

"Hopefully he'll be right next week â€" he could have played this week but we just wanted to give him an extra week to make sure," Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said.

"It was relatively minor and he's recovered fairly quickly â€" we thought it would probably be three, maybe four weeks, and that'll make it about four next week.

"We were hoping he might have been okay for this week, but as the week's gone on we just thought he probably needs another weekend off."

Richmond confirms that Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin are both likely to resume playing next week.

Richmond says that Ben Cousins could return to the side in as little as two weeks.

Ben Cousins and Matthew Richardson have declared this week's match against Melbourne as a "must-win" contest for the Tigers after three straight losses to start 2009.

Ben Cousins is currently walking and jogging laps at training.

Ben Cousins has taking a swipe at critics, saying it was his decision, not the medical staff's, to return in the final quarter on Thursday night.

Sports medico Peter Larkins has expressed surprise at Richmond's decision to send Ben Cousins back on after three-quarter time.

Carlton captain Chris Judd believes Ben Cousins will be happy his first game is out of the way, even though he injured himself.

Chris Judd expects former teammate Ben Cousins will feel some relief, despite a hamstring injury stalling his comeback.

Ben Cousins and Andrew Raines will both be sidelined for at least the next three games following injuries suffered last night.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace says he expectes no on-field miracles from star recruit Ben Cousins in his first game.

Richmond recruit Ben Cousins has hobbled from the field in Thursday night's clash with Carlton after tearing his hamstring.

Despite his age and history of hamstring injuries, Richmond expects Ben Cousins to be sidelined for three or four weeks.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace has confirmed that boom recruit Ben Cousins will start on the ground against Carlton in their 2009 round 1 match.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace expects Ben Cousins to 'have a real crack' against Carlton on Thursday night.

Brett Ratten has warned his players not to be blinded by the focus on Chris Judd and Ben Cousins ahead of Thursday's season-opening match.

Ben Cousins is racing to adjust to the dramatic changes in footy tactics since he last played a Premiership season game.

Ben Cousins could not think of a better comeback to the AFL than against his former captain, Chris Judd.

Carlton captain Chris Judd can't wait to line up against former teammate and Richmond recruit Ben Cousins on Thursday night.

With a neat goal, some robust tackling and a relentless work ethic, Ben Cousins is moving steadily through the gears in his comeback with Richmond.

The recruitment of Ben Cousins causes the Richmond membership to reach record levels.

According to Richmond president Gary March, Ben Cousins had undoubtedly caused membership to spike by at least 5000 members.

Ben Cousins has been backed to win more than $1 million in Brownlow Medal betting.

Richmond will recall Matthew Richardson, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley and Ben Cousins for Friday night's final warm-up.

Ben Cousins has been drug tested an estimated 33 times since joining Richmond - and all have been negative.

Richmond will rest superstars Matthew Richardson, Brett Deledio and Ben Cousins from Friday's NAB Challenge match against St Kilda.

BEN Cousins says he forgot he was a drug addict after being concussed in his comeback AFL match last week.

Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins is a remote chance to play against St Kilda at Shepparton on Friday after recovering from a mild concussion.

Ben Cousins' documentary team has been banned from Punt Road, with Richmond president Gary March admitting he shouldn't have let them into the Telstra Dome.

Sydney Swans forward Barry Hall has backed Ben Cousins' return to AFL football, saying everyone deserves a second chance.

Ben Cousins spent time in hospital after suffering concussion during Richmond's AFL pre-season loss to Collingwood.

Tommy Hafey slams the decision to draft Ben Cousins, saying Richmond erred in giving him a second chance.

Collingwood fans left Telstra Dome thrilled last night after a 46-point win as the Richmond faithful headed home knowing Ben Cousins was worth the trouble.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace in no doubt Ben Cousins can resume place as one of AFL's best players after promising debut for Tigers.

Ben Cousins' father last night said he had been stunned by the level of support for his son in his fight back to big-time football.

As Ben Cousins mania continues to build ahead of tomorrow night's NAB Cup match, his teammates are picking the new recruit's brain.

Ben Cousins will start on the field in Thursday night's highly-anticipated match against Collingwood.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace has confirmed Ben Cousins will make his Tiger debut in Thursday night's blockbuster against Collingwood.

Ben Cousins met the Tiger faithful yesterday and was feted like a rock star.

Collingwood is preparing to face Ben Cousins at his best on Thursday night.

Collingwood expects the former Brownlow medallist will have no trouble readjusting to AFL tempo.

Ben Cousins will line up against Collingwood in Richmond's NAB Cup clash if his teammates have anything to do with it.

Richmond recruit Ben Cousins is expected to make his long-anticipated comeback in a fortnight.

Ben Cousins says he feels at home at Richmond and believes the club is ready to "take the next step".

Richmond will not re-cast its plans for Ben Cousins, despite his successful return in an intraclub practice match yesterday.

Hundreds of Tigers fans have gathered at Punt Road to see Ben Cousins and Graham Polak take to the field in a practice match.

Ben Cousins will play his first game in 18 months this week with Richmond saying the Brownlow medallist is on track for Round 1 against Carlton.

Richmond forward Nathan Brown has warned not to expect Ben Cousins to be the magic catalyst for a tilt at the finals this season.

Troubled footballer Ben Cousins is shown contemplating his future during a sleepless night in a triple-portrait for this year's Archibald Prize.

Blues captain Chris Judd is relishing the prospect of going head-to-head with Ben Cousins in an MCG blockbuster start to the AFL season.

Richmond says it is having to "pull the reins" on star recruit Ben Cousins to ensure he does not push himself too hard on the training track.

Richmond recruit Ben Cousins is unlikely to return to Subiaco Oval for the opening round of the NAB Cup.

Drug testers have made Ben Cousins a target hours into his first training session of the year.

Ben Cousins was drug tested on his third day as a Richmond player, but has declared he is a changed man with a changed lifestyle.

Richmond supporters swarm Punt Road Oval to see star recruit Ben Cousins take his first steps with the Tigers.

Ben Cousins has been taken by Richmond at pick six in the AFL pre-season draft.

Richmond's bid to recruit Ben Cousins has hit a hurdle, with the AFL stopping it from placing Graham Polak on the rookie list.

Ben Cousins' dream of returning to AFL football appears to over after Richmond announced it would be "highly unlikely" to draft him.

A millionaire Tigers fan has offered the club a $300,000 bonus if it recruits recovering drug addict Ben Cousins.

Fremantle will oppose Richmond's application to move injured forward Graham Polak on to the rookie list, in what looms as a potential road block for Ben Cousins.

A direct plea for a second chance and the intervention of Kevin Sheedy launched the dramatic backflip that will turn Ben Cousins into a Tiger.

Richmond's bid to transfer Graham Polak to its rookie list has drawn mixed reactions from rival clubs suspicious of its timing and motives.

Richmond wants permission to put Graham Polak on the rookie list, potentially clearing the way for Ben Cousins.

Ben Cousins' chance of resuming his AFL career next season is slim, with no more than six clubs having picks in the pre-season draft.

Ben Cousins's hopes of reviving his AFL career now rest with the pre-season draft after he was left out of yesterday's national draft.

Kevin Sheedy has questioned Richmond over its reluctance to consider recruiting Ben Cousins.

St Kilda has strongly denied major sponsor Jeld-Wen urged the club to snub Ben Cousins.

Brisbane Lions appear to be only hope for Ben Cousins to return to the AFL after St Kilda declares that it would not pursue former Eagles captain.

Ben Cousins' football career is effectively dead after St Kilda last night refused to pick him in the national draft

Lions coach Michael Voss has reportedly made a secret trip to Perth to meet Ben Cousins.

St Kilda's new board is in total control of Ben Cousins' AFL future, with the Brisbane Lions yesterday pulling out of the race.

The AFL will insist former West Coast captain Ben Cousins must have sufficient hair to comply with future drug tests or else.

New Brisbane coach Michael Voss is still interested in recruiting Ben Cousins but says the Lions may have left their run too late.

St Kilda remains keen on Ben Cousins and is prepared to weather more intense scrutiny to ensure it makes the correct decision on the recovering drug addict.

Ben Cousins is looking forward to returning to AFL football despite the tough conditions imposed on him by the AFL Commission

Essendon has confirmed it will not be a late swooper for Ben Cousins if he is cleared by the AFL Commission today to play next season.

Fallen Eagle Ben Cousins has been given a shot at redemption by the AFL.

The AFL Players' Association have "serious concerns" about the conditions set down by the league to allow Ben Cousins to return to football.

St Kilda is short-priced favourite to snare Ben Cousins after the league granted the former West Coast star permission to return to the AFL.

St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions will consult their sponsors before deciding whether to draft Ben Cousins.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt would welcome Ben Cousins to his club if the AFL clears the disgraced former West Coast skipper to play.

The AFL has little option but to register former West Coast captain Ben Cousins on Tuesday or risk being sued for restraint of trade.

Ben Cousins passes a drug test and could be considered a draft target by North Melbourne.

Ben Cousins looks set to join VFL club Port Melbourne in preparation for a return to AFL in 2009.

News of Cousins' return to football draw comments from various AFL coaches regarding the possibility of him playing for their club.

"Ben at 30 years of age doesn't fit the criteria. We're sort of going down more of a youth set-up," Carlton coach Brett Ratten said.

"I've got great respect for Ben and what he's achieved on the field and feel for what he's been going through, but he's probably not the right fit for us at the moment," Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley said.

Ben Cousins breaks his silence by speaking about his addiction to drugs at a Sydney press conference alongside boxing world champion Anthony Mundine.

"I am someone who has lost my livelihood and something I enjoyed doing the most and, probably more so than that, I lost a lot of people who are close to me," Cousins said.

"Deep down I don't think I really had a choice. From a medical point of view, drug addiction is an illness.

"It is a very hard thing for people who have not experienced it to get their head around.

"I am not ashamed or embarrassed to say I have had a drugs problem because for a lot of people they don't choose to do it, in a lot of ways it chooses them."

Cousins will fight in an exhibition boxing match as part of the World Boxing Association's annual "KO to Drugs" promotion that is hosted by Mundine.

Ben Cousins is officially delisted by the Eagles as West Coast submit their third playing list lodgment for the year.

The Eagles announced the termination of their relationship with Cousins in October but, due to salary cap and legal reasons, were obliged to retain him on their list.

Channel 9's A Current Affair reports that Ben Cousins has been partying during schoolies week at Queensland's Gold Coast.

Footage from the program shows Cousins kneeling at a table appearing to snort a substance from it, although there has been no evidence to conclusively prove this.

Detectives from Los Angeles decide against pursuing drug charges against Cousins for his cocaine binge which resulted in his hospitalisation.

"Unless we come across any additional, substantial information, we are looking at this as a closed case," said Sergeant Paul Wolcott, of the Hermosa Beach Police Department.

Fresh from charging Cousins with bringing the game into disrepute, the AFL also declares that Cousins still remains eligible to participate in football at lower levels.

Cousins, however, states that he will consider his options over the following months. "I will be keeping myself in good shape to ensure I give myself every opportunity of returning to the AFL in 2009."

The AFL suspends Cousins for 12 months after finding him guilty of conduct unbecoming and likely to prejudice the interest of the AFL and bringing the game into disrepute.

Cousins did not answer questions after the hearing but read a statement to the media following the verdict where he admitted to having a drug addiction.

"I would like to stress the fact that I am overcoming drug addiction, which is an ongoing process. Contrary to media reports, I am a lot further down the track in my rehabilitation than has been reported,." said Cousins.

"I'd like to apologise to the AFL, its players and supporters for the embarrassment my conduct has caused."

"I am bitterly disappointed that I cannot continue to play football but that's not to say I have given up hope of doing so in the future."

Police apologise to Cousins and drop the second and final charge of refusing to undergo a driver assessment due.

Detectives had apparently not followed the proper procedures after the wrong officer attempted to test Cousins when only the officer who pulls a driver over can make the assessment.

Despite the dropped charges, the West Coast Eagles remain adamant that their decision to terminate Cousins' contract was appropriate.

"This development does not change the club position or the decision made to terminate Ben's contract because of repeated and serious breaches of his agreement with the club," said Eagles spokesman Gary Stocks.

Cousins checks into an exclusive drug rehabiliation Sydney clinic on his way home to Perth after a short stay in Los Angeles where he was thought to have be at a drug treatment facility.

Revelations soon follow that Cousins was rushed to hospital in Los Angeles where he stayed for two days after a five-day drug binge. A frantic 911 call was made on October 31 by his friend Susie Ela leading to ambulance officers rushing Cousins to the Little Company of Mary Hospital in nearby Torrance.