Eagles legend Glen Jakovich says AFL should finally consider Ben Cousins for the Hall of Fame

One of West Coast’s greatest says the time is now to induct Ben Cousins into football’s Hall of Fame, given his remarkable recovery from his drug issues of past years.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Ex West Coast player Ben Cousins plays with the OWLS prior to the 2023 AFL Round 02 match between the West Coast Eagles and the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium on March 26, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

West Coast legend Glen Jakovich says Ben Cousins has made such a remarkable recovery the league should consider finally inducting him into football’s Hall of Fame.

But the 2008 Hall of Fame inductee says Cousins’ recovery from drug addiction and commitment to his two children is a more important priority post-career.

Cousins is now working for Channel 7 and a WA mining company, with his appearance at a West Coast legends football match on the weekend the latest example of his reintegration into society.

Cousins has been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 2013 but like other players with drug issues or chequered pasts has had his induction delayed under a character test.

AFL greats Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Sr both had to wait to be inducted over personal indiscretions but were eventually elevated.

Is it finally time for Ben Cousins to become an AFL Hall of Famer? Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Jakovich was a teammate with Cousins as well as a dual premiership player and said he was stunned and thrilled by the recovery of a player judged as one of top 50 in AFL history by former Herald Sun journalist Mike Sheahan.

“Funnily enough I spoke to him yesterday about a few things. The biggest question was whether he could reintegrate back into community life, hold down a normal job and be a normal contributor to society,” Jakovich told the Herald Sun.

“West Coast has just had a Hall of Fame event which he didn’t make. They wanted to wait another 12 months. So if not this year then next year from an AFL perspective.

“He has had a bloody good 18 months. He works for Channel 7, he works for a mining company and he goes to a lot of mining sites and speaks to them and basically says don’t end up like me. His biggest commitment is to his kids. He has gone from no access to good access and has had to tick boxes with the authorities. So that is a really big tick for ‘Cuz’.“

Last year SA legend Russell Ebert was inducted as a Hall of Fame legend while Terry Cashion, Bill Dempsey, Mike Fitzpatrick, Brent Harvey, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Taylor, Ted Tyson and Nicky Winmar were inducted.

The league attempts to induct a range of Hall of Famers from multiple generations but 2017 retirees including Steve Johnson, Nick Riewoldt and Sam Mitchell are eligible for the first time this year.

Cousins was sacked by West Coast after he was arrested over drugs charges as his lifestyle issues came to a head in 2007.

Richmond handed him a lifeline where he played 32 games in 2009-10 but he continued to battle drug issues post-AFL career.

Ben Cousins in action during the kick-off game prior to West Coast vs GWS. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jakovich said Cousins had finally used the powers that made him a star footballer in his own rehabilitation.

“We went through a period of time where we were sick of hearing about his lifestyle and we were waiting for the phone call that he is no longer with us. That is how bad it got. It was sad to witness that in an ex-teammate and great of our club,“ he said.

“He is a Hall of Famer, no doubt. His record stands on its own head and shoulders above anyone else. But there is a responsibility that comes with that and the public expectation of behaviour is paramount.

“So in the end it’s not about the Hall of Fame, it’s about him living a good life and healthy life and being here for his kids.

“Deep down as a teammate when he had the courage to get himself up with that hard gut running, I always hoped he would use that energy and strong will power to beat his drug addiction.

“It is what he is using now to get over this situation he found himself in. All credit to him. He has done it on his own. He has good support networks but in the end it is up to him to get himself out of it and he is doing it. Then down the track we can look back and think, “What a comeback”.

Originally published as Eagles legend Glen Jakovich says AFL should finally consider Ben Cousins for the Hall of Fame