Former AFL superstar Ben Cousins is in attendance at tonight’s Brownlow Medal and is looking happy and healthy.
After The Age reported this week that Cousins had accepted an invitation from the AFL to attend the league’s night of nights, the whispers proved true as the former West Coast captain entered the red carpet at Perth Stadium.
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Cousins has lived a troubled existence since retiring from the game at the end of 2010, and he had been largely distanced from the AFL world in the years since as he bounced in and out of prison.
But Cousins, who won the 2005 Brownlow Medal, has seemingly turned his life around in recent months and his attendance tonight is great evidence of that.
“It’s definitely a big night,” Cousins told Seven on the red carpet.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to one of the football industry nights, so I’m looking forward to it.
“There will be a little bit of nerves I think, but there’s plenty of players that have had great years, so whoever wins it might need a little bit of luck at some stage. So just looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
“A little bit of behind-the-scenes [work to be ready], but that’s part of it. We all find ourselves in different situations along the way and it’s just great to be here tonight.”