AFL great Ben Cousins ‘in denial’ before emergency operation

Ben Cousins ignored a health concern “for a couple of months” before the AFL premiership winner had to rush to hospital.

Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins has detailed a painful recent incident that led to a rushed trip to hospital and an operation.

The 46-year-old Cousins was a star with the West Coast Eagles before his life spiralled out of control, resulting in a highly publicised drug addiction, domestic violence issues, a number of arrests and a stint in jail in 2017.

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The 2006 premiership winner has gradually turned his life around in recent years, now filling a number of media roles in Perth.

Cousins was a guest on Triple M’s Rush Hour with JB & Billy this week, when he discussed his interest in footy these days and his thoughts on Geelong’s Bailey Smith.

But he began by saying he was fresh out of hospital, having ignored a hernia concern for some months.

Chris and Rebecca Judd with Ben Cousins at the 2024 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Instagram

“I’m a little tender actually,” he said. “I went in for a hernia op on Friday, not much fun.

“I’ve had a little bubble or lump pop up where it probably shouldn’t a couple of months ago, and I’ve been in denial, if you like.

“I hadn’t gone in and had the ultrasound and I thought I’d put it off until the end of the footy season, I’d hang on for 12 more games — you’d swear I was still playing.”

After attending last week’s Queensland victory over NSW in the second State of Origin game in Perth, excruciating pain meant the 270-game midfielder couldn’t put off seeking treatment any longer.

Cousins has a radio gig with Mix 94.5’s breakfast show.

Cousins and Chris Judd after West Coast’s 2006 premiership victory. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

“I went to the State of Origin on Wednesday night, it was a great game, got home and then I went in to put my daughter to sleep and I sat on her bed and then out of nowhere, this pain came,” he recalled.

“I may have been in as much pain (before in my life), but I have never been in more. I was ready to pass out, all this sort of stuff, couldn’t talk.

“I did go down (like) Autumn leaves.

“So, the next day I did my best to try and get seen as quickly as possible, so I went in (to hospital) the next day.

“That’s my sad story.”

Cousins leaving Perth Magistrates Court in 2012 after he was arrested on drugs charges. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

After he was sacked by the Eagles in 2007 following an arrest for drug possession, Cousins returned for two seasons with Richmond before retiring in 2010.

In the years that followed, he was in and out of rehabilitation clinics and had a number of issues with the law.

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison in 2017 over drug, stalking and domestic violence issues.

Cousins was able to get his life back under control, taking on TV and radio roles in Perth and appearing on Dancing with the Stars in 2024.

He was asked if he follows footy much these days.

“I’m enjoying following the game and by this time of the year, fully invested in it,” he said.

“I think it looks like it’ll be another really exciting finals series.

“I’ll go out of my way to watch it at times, particularly the local sides. I’ve enjoyed being close to the action and getting swept up in it.”

Cousins was also asked about Geelong star Smith, who is enjoying a superb season on the field but has also had his own problems away from footy.

“I crossed paths with him a few times in the finals last year,” Cousins said. “I haven’t had a lot to do with him but I’ve just been rapt with the way he’s gone.

Cousins is a fan of Geelong star Bailey Smith. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I do like seeing guys stand up in adversity. It hasn’t necessarily been an easy time for him, particularly changing clubs, coming back from a knee reconstruction.

“I’ve never had one of those but I know enough to know that in itself is no easy feat.

“He’s just provided Geelong with exactly what they’ve needed.”

Cousins was asked about Smith’s unusual approach at times and he said: “People have to be themselves.

“I don’t think you’d want to take that out of him completely because that’s who he is and embrace some of that stuff.

“Even when I did cross paths with him I was taken back by his presence and how tall he is, he’s well put together.

“You wouldn’t like to play on him.”