Troubled AFL star Ben Cousins says it’s ‘good to be out’ after jail stint

Once one of the AFL’s biggest stars, former West Coast champion and Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins has been spotted a week after his prison release — looking barely recognisable.

A week after being released from jail on bail, former AFL champion Ben Cousins has declared “it’s good to be out”.

Cousins unwittingly found himself in front of the Perth media on Wednesday when he happened to be at the same swimming pool where AFL club Fremantle was training.

A happy and healthy looking Cousins was at the Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Centre where the media was waiting for Fremantle coach Ross Lyon to speak before training.

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Ben Cousins in action for Richmond in 2010. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Ben Cousins is barely recognisable after his release from jail. Picture: 7 News

The former West Coast captain and Brownlow medallist didn’t address the media as he left the venue except to say “it’s good to be out”.

He did, however, spend significant time speaking with former West Coast player and Seven Network report Adrian Barich.

Accompanied by a blonde woman with a young child in a pram, Cousins was still sporting a significant beard and his hair in a ponytail.

The former Eagles star and Brownlow medallist had a storied AFL career.

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He was released from Hakea prison last week after eight months inside, with a trial date set for September 12 where the 40-year-old will answer 14 charges, 12 of which relate to breaching a family restraining order.

He faces a count each of aggravated stalking and threatening to injure, endanger or harm which stems from his arrest last August at the home of former partner Maylea Tinecheff.

Premiership captain Cousins won the 2005 Brownlow Medal and played 238 games at West Coast before resurrecting his career at Richmond in 2009. He retired the following year.

His storied career was marred with off-field incidents including drug use.