Shane Crawford reveals how he got emotional watching Ben Cousins on Dancing with the Stars

Footy great Shane Crawford has opened up about how he got emotional seeing reformed bad boy Ben Cousins take a big step forward in his life.

Footy great Shane Crawford has revealed he teared up seeing reformed bad boy Ben Cousins taking another big step forward in rebuilding his life.

Crawford and Cousins are part of the star-studded cast of reality show Dancing With the Stars which started filming in Sydney last month.

A Hawthorn premiership favourite, Crawford has formed a strong bond with the premiership Eagle and is inspired by his courage and determination to bounce back from a checkered past including substance abuse and stints behind bars.

“I’ll be honest, his first dance (training) that he did I got emotional,’’ Crawford said.

“I knew it was such an amazing moment for him to be out enjoying that and having a crack. I’m so proud of him, I really was.

Shane Crawford has formed a strong bond with Ben Cousins. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“I tried to explain to some of the other celebs, you’ve got to understand this guy was in a hole, he was in jail, everyone thought we’d read about him not being around anymore.

“He’s here with a smile on his face, having a crack and I love that. I’ve really enjoyed seeing him enjoy the experience. His partner Siobhan (Power) has been so good with him and he’s loved it. He’s treated it like he did when he played footy, he’s so dedicated and he’s trained his butt off.”

Ben Cousins taking a step forward in his life on Dancing with the Stars. Picture: Philip Gostelow

Crawford said it was heartwarming to see emerging media star Cousins with his son Bobby, who was with him at the football on Thursday night, and with other family members.

“Gee he’s come a long way,’’ Crawford said.

“I used to play on him at times and he was a wonderful player. I just think it’s an amazing story that he’s turned up. He loves the footy and talks a lot of footy and he’s having spray tans every three days. He reckons he’s not but he is.”

For Crawford, a loveable larrikin who starred on The Footy Show, this reality TV show foray has been a long-time coming. The father of four boys said he just wanted to be himself and have fun.

Shane Crawford is proud of Ben Cousins for ‘having a crack’ on Dancing with the Stars. Picture: Herald Sun/Philip Gostelow

“Last year I had the opportunity but I was going overseas, taking the big boys on a boys trip and didn’t want to practice while I was away,’’ he said.

“Then it came up again and I said I’d love to. You’ve got to be all in to train and go for it.

“It’s a brilliant crew. You just get to be you.”

Also headlining the series is former footy WAG and fashion influencer Nadia Bartel, four-time Gold Logie winner Lisa McCune, chef Julie Goodwin, pop singer Samantha Jade, SAS Australia’s Ant Middleton, Olympian and former Senator Nova Peris, chef Hayden Quinn, comedian Nikki Osborne, Home and Away actor James Stewart and Better Homes and Gardens presenter Adam Dovile.

L-R: Nikki Osborne, Adam Dovile, Hayden Quinn, Julie Goodwin, James Stewart, Lisa McCune, Ben Cousins, Ant Middleton, Nova Peris, Samantha Jade, Shane Crawford and Nadia Bartel. New season cast of Dancing With the Stars

Former I’m a Celeb co-host and vet Dr Chris Brown is co-hosting the show alongside Sonia Kruger. Channel 7 has yet to announce an air date.