Ben Cousins’ new football coaching role revealed

Ben Cousins is stepping back into the football world after landing a brand new role which will put all his experience to use.

Ben Cousins is returning to footy. Photo: Newscorp and Jake Nowakowski

AFL great Ben Cousins new football coaching role has been revealed as he returns to his roots.

The wayward former Brownlow winner is back on the straight and narrow after his off-field battles with drug addiction.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Having landed a TV gig with 7 News in Perth and putting a toe back into footy world, he has an official role locked in with the Perth Demons.

The former Eagles skipper has ties to the Perth Demons with his father Bryan having played 240 games at the club in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Announced late last year he was signing up for a part-time coaching role at the club after helping out in a once-a-week role, he will work with the Demons’ under-19s colts team.

A mercurial midfielder in his heyday, Cousins hung up the boots in 2010 after 270 games at West Coast and Richmond.

But the 2005 Brownlow Medal winner will no doubt have plenty of experience to impart on the youngsters about the ups and downs of a life in the spotlight.

Ben Cousins on Derby Day last year. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

However he won’t be the only experienced footy head around the club as former Magpies and Eagles midfield has reportedly been appointed the club’s midfield coach, according to The West Australian, while 2014 Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis and Fremantle games record holder David Mundy are also believed to be set to join the club in off-field roles.

Cousins had a troubled end to his football career, resigning his captaincy at West Coast in 2006 after fleeing an RBT before it was revealed he had a substance abuse problem.

Cousins spent time in rehab in the same year before he was arrested for drug possession the following year.

He was delisted and banned from the AFL for 12 months, ending his time at West Coast after a Brownlow Medal in 2005, the 2006 premiership, six All-Australian selections and 238 games.

In 2009, Cousins did return to the AFL, playing the final two seasons of his career at Richmond.

Ben Cousins with John Worsfold for the Ch7 documentary Ben Cousins: Coming Clean Picture: Channel 7

After his career, Cousins’ life spiralled out of control, leading to a public battle with drugs and legal issues, including serving a 12-month prison sentence in 2017 for stalking the mother of his children Maylea Tinecheff.

But in more recent times, Cousins appeared fit and healthy and has come clean on how difficult his recovery has been.

Speaking in Bunbury in November alongside West Coast premiership hero Dom Sheed, Cousins revealed he was finally happy again.

“It just gets back to being happy and for a long time, I hadn’t been and I had those fleeting moments where I thought I was kidding myself just to try and get by,” he said.

“It’s been a big struggle but today I sit here and it’s not in any way about the things I’ve given up or had to give up or sacrifice, it’s all about things I can give back.”

Cousins at the 2021 Brownlow. Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Cousins also spoke about his move to the Tigers, sharing his gratitude the club gave him chance, The West Australian reported.

“I played the majority of my football at West Coast and never once did I entertain the idea of leaving West Coast or did I ever see my future being anything other than a one-team player but obviously what happened, happened,” he said.

“One of the great things about that whole situation was the opportunity that I got to play for Richmond who were sort of brave enough to take it on and pick me up.

“I was desperate to play, I was no guarantee to get picked up and there was a circus that sort of followed me for 12 or 18 months.

“As much as I would have loved for it to be just a football decision, it really wasn’t.

“I’m forever grateful. (Richmond) were a fantastic club to play for.

“I had two pretty tough years on field but it’s been amazing to be at that footy club at that time with a handful of that core group that was able to go on and build something from those days and win those three grand finals and have that dynasty.”