Ben Cousins rebounds from drug addiction and disgrace with guest speaking engagement
Ben Cousins is making his comeback after a downward spiral with drug addiction as he prepares for several Melbourne shows in the lead-up to the grand final.
Fiona Byrne
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Ben Cousins’ takeover of the Melbourne talk circuit continues with the former AFL champion confirmed as doing four shows in the lead-up to the grand final.
The former Brownlow Medallist will hold court at a grand final breakfast at the Manhattan Hotel in Ringwood on Saturday, September 24 — the day of the AFL grand final.
He will appear in a “live and uncensored” lunchtime show at the Hallam Hotel in Hallam on Friday, September 23.
Cousins will team up with Sam Newman and Doug Hawkins for a lunchtime footy panel at the Yarraville Club in Yarraville on Thursday, September 22.
Newman was a teammate of Cousins’ father, Brian, at Geelong Football Club during his playing days.
“It is a great footballing family. I played alongside Brian when we were both part of Geelong and now I look forward to continuing my relationship with the family by doing this speaking engagement with Ben,” Newman said.
Cousins kicks off his round of engagements in Victoria with Richmond’s Kane Lambert at the Bannockburn Railway Hotel on the evening of Wednesday, September 21.
The shows are being presented by Entertainment By Vin and Authentic Autographs and Events Australia.
“We have been in discussions with Ben for the past year about doing a series of appearances in Victoria and we are very pleased to be able to have him here doing these shows during the biggest week in footy: grand final week,” Entertainment by Vin director Vin Handley said.
Tickets are on sale for all four events.
Cousins is noted as a Brownlow winner, premiership player and six-time All Australian.
With his Thursday engagement it would not surprise if Cousins was part of other events in the lead-up to the grand final.
Cousins made a return to the AFL fold last year, attending the Brownlow Medal count-in Perth after years where he was in a downward spiral with drugs and serious run-ins with the law.
It seemed to mark a turning point in his life. He has since become a footy tipper with Channel 7 news in Perth.
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