Dean Cox says former West Coast teammate Ben Cousins’ career deserving of Hall of Fame induction

One of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, Dean Cox, says former teammate Ben Cousins should be an “automatic walk-up” to be inducted based on his outstanding on-field feats at West Coast.

Dean Cox says Ben Cousins’ on-field achievements are worthy of a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Dean Cox has urged Australian football Hall of Fame selectors to overlook his West Coast premiership teammate Ben Cousins’ off-field indiscretions, claiming he should have been an “automatic walk-up” addition when eligible four years ago.

There’s no denying the 2005 Brownlow medallist and six-time All-Australian and four-time John Worsfold medallist’s on-field contribution to the game.

Get your footy fix on KAYO ahead of live matches returning soon. Watch classic battles from the 60s to today, docos, news and more. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Ben Cousins and Dean Cox celebrate a win during their time together at West Coast.

But his life spiralled out of control towards the end of his 270-game AFL career, with a well-publicised battle with drug addiction which saw him dumped by the Eagles and banned for 12 months for bringing the game into disrepute.

The 41-year-old’s fall from grace has been a heartbreaking tale, with several stints behind bars for various drug and stalking offences since retiring from the game in 2010.

He is currently serving a six-month jail sentence in WA’s toughest prison over allegations he stalked his former partner and breached a family violence restraining order 13 times.

Dean Cox says Ben Cousins’ on-field achievements are worthy of a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Cox, who was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame during the week, said Cousins’ on-field achievements were more than worthy enough to earn the elite honour.

The towering ruckman and West Coast games-record holder formed one of the greatest on-ball brigades the game has ever seen alongside midfield superstars Cousins, Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr.

They were a huge part of West Coast’s dominant era which included back-to-back grand final appearances and a flag in 2006.

Cousins played the 238 games of his career as an Eagle before a lifeline at Richmond, where he spent two seasons.

MORE AFL NEWS:

Mick Malthouse revises his top eight predictions and looks at how the new-look 2020 season will affect your club

Former Essendon coach James Hird opens up on his mental health demons and how he will use his recovery to help others

Jon Hay issues extraordinary public apology to his former teams Hawthorn and North Melbourne

Tim Michell reveals his five Round 2 trades for KFC SuperCoach

But the “integrity” and “character” criteria appear to have kept him out of hall-of-fame contention.

“I think it’s been like that for a little bit, where some off-field indiscretions has probably restricted them and Ben is another example of that,” Cox told ABC Grandstand.

“I’d love to see Benny (inducted), from a footy perspective he should be an automatic walk-up as soon as he was eligible for what he did on the football field.

“Hopefully they can see that at the end of the day and hopefully get him in as soon as possible because unfortunately some decisions off the field haven’t been the best for Ben but he was unbelievable on it.”

Dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd is almost certain to be the next former Eagle to be inducted into the hall of fame when he is eligible next year.

Two-time premiership captain and flag-winning coach John Worsfold and champion defender/long-serving skipper Darren Glass are also among the club’s strongest contenders.

Originally published as Dean Cox says former West Coast teammate Ben Cousins’ career deserving of Hall of Fame induction