Kane Cornes says ‘it’s time’ for Ben Cousins to be inducted into AFL Hall of Fame

AFL premiership star Kane Cornes has launched an impassioned plea to the league for Ben Cousins to be bestowed with the highest honour.

The time has come for Ben Cousins to be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

That’s according to AFL premiership star turned media personality Kane Cornes.

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Cousins was a dominant force on the football field as one of the premier midfielders in the game.

The former West Coast Eagles captain played 270 games in the AFL, leading the Eagles to the 2006 flag while winning the Brownlow Medal in 2005.

He has been eligible for entry into the Hall of Fame since 2013 but despite a long list of on-field accolades, it’s his well reported chequered off-field behaviour that has delayed the move.

Cornes however says not everyone within the Hall of Fame has a clean history and the time has come for Cousins to receive the honour.

“It’s time. There are others in the Hall of Fame who have had checkered history off the field and it’s time,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

Cornes says it’s time for Cousins to be inducted. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The 45-year-old has been on the redemption path since he was released from custody in December 2020.

He has turned his life around and landed a gig as a presenter for Channel 7 in Perth last year.

Seven initially chose not to promote Cousins’ move into TV at the time but the AFL great impressed many fans with his work in front of the camera.

It then saw him expand into a full-time role where he would front the bulletin for three days a week while continuing his regular segment alongside Adrian Barich.

“It’s been fun. A journey, but I’m learning every day,” Cousins said.

“I can tell you, as the words scroll through, it’s harder than it looks.”

Ben Cousins making his debut on the sports desk for Channel 7. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

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. In 2009, Cousins returned to the league, playing the final two seasons of his career at Richmond.

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 has appeared fit and healthy. He has also been open about his recovery from drug addiction.

Cousins also returned to the Eagles for the first time in 16 years in March last year, playing in an exhibition legend’s game at Optus Stadium before the Eagles’ clash with GWS in round two.

Cousins has turned his life around. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The former Eagles superstar said football had been the one “constant” throughout his turbulent life.

“I know I’m starting from a long way back but I needed to feel like I was making a contribution,” he said while attending his first Brownlow Medal in Melbourne since 2005.

“Once I was released, I wasn’t quite at the stage where I felt I was in a position to get back into full-time work so I connected with a community football club, just training a couple times a week over the summer. It was one I hadn’t had any involvement with prior so I didn’t know anybody at that stage.

“I was out of my comfort zone and getting to meet new people. It was football for me that was a constant. I enjoy having a kick and it was that which got me back involved in the community. It played a really important part in my recovery.”

Originally published as Kane Cornes says ‘it’s time’ for Ben Cousins to be inducted into AFL Hall of Fame