Ben Cousins says he feels 'very fortunate' to be back at the AFL's night of nights as the former Brownlow medallist makes his surprise appearance at the awards.
The ex-West Coast Eagles captain has spent time in jail for a series of drug, violence and stalking offences after battling addiction and mental health issues during and in the years following his retirement from footy.
The 43-year-old, who won the game's highest prize in 2005, arrived at the awards night in Perth on Sunday evening alongside date Kelley Hayes dressed sharply in a black dinner suit and bowtie.
'I'm just very fortunate that I got the opportunity to come to one of football's great nights,' Cousins said on the red carpet.
'It's definitely a big night, it's been a while since I've been to one of the football industry nights so I'm looking forward to it.'
Ben Cousins says he feels 'very fortunate' to be back at the AFL's night of nights as the former Brownlow medallist makes his surprise appearance at the awards
'I'm just very fortunate that I got the opportunity to come to one of football's great nights,' Cousins said on the red carpet
The disgraced former AFL star said there had been a lot of working 'behind the scenes' to get him ready and prepared to attend the AFL's biggest night, but repeatedly underlined how happy he was to be there.
'A little bit behind the scenes but that's part of it, trying to solve some situations along the way,' he said.
'It's just great to be here tonight.'
Past winners of the award receive invitations to attend the awards night which names the season's best player, but until now he's never taken the league up on the offer.
With the Brownlow being held in his hometown of Perth this year, Cousins accepted the invitation to attend, causing intrigue with both fans and current players alike.
'I actually forgot that he was coming tonight but I haven't seen him yet,' West Coast star Nic Naitanui said.
'It's good to have a bit of West Coast royalty in and seeing him doing well, so I'm excited to see Ben inside actually.'
Natanui, who is now the face of Cousins' Eagles, says it's a 'step in the right direction' for the ex-convict, who he admitted would 'steal the show' away from the game's biggest stars.
'I met him at a young age and I've had a bit to do with him early on in my career before I got drafted,' he recalled.
'Obviously wearing his number at West Coast, we've got that special connection whether we like it or not.
Cousins, who won the game's highest prize in 2005, arrived at the awards night in Perth on Sunday evening alongside date Kelley Hayes dressed sharply in a black dinner suit and bowtie
The 43-year-old Cousins (pictured with Susan Backshell), who won the 2005 Brownlow, is reportedly set to accept an invitation to the AFL's main award ceremony as he cleans his life up and re-embraces the sport
Ben Cousins is set to make a shock appearance at Sunday's Brownlow Medal count (pictured 2019), in what would be a rare public engagement more than a decade after hanging up his boots
Ben Cousins was the poster boy of the AFL before his infamous meth addiction took over his life
Speaking at a function earlier this month, the midfielder said he's finally got clean after his infamous methamphetamine addiction and his six stints in jail.
'I appreciate the support of everyone and how many chances they have given me, more than I deserve and more than I would have given anyone else,' Cousins said, according to The West Australian.
He has now found work in the demolition industry and said his return to footy as a player in Perth's Metro Football League had helped to turn his life around.
'I'm also loving my club footy (with the Queens Park Bulldogs), it keeps me busy,' he told the audience at the WA Italian Club.
Cousins had a tumultuous relationship with the mother of his children Maylea Tinecheff (pictured right)
This year's Brownlow Medal count and the AFL Grand Final the following weekend, are being held in Perth due to Covid restrictions in Melbourne.
Players from the two Perth clubs, West Coast and Fremantle, will attend, along with those of the two grand finalist, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs - albeit in a separate room as they take precautions against any Covid infection.
Cousins, a father-of-two, also divulged how his out of control off-field behaviour rattled his good friends and Chris Judd, the man who replaced him as Eagles skipper.
'I let my club down and I put Juddy in a tough spot,' Cousins said. 'And I feel for him... through my issues I put him in a tough position.'
Cousins' fall from grace was as sad as it was spectacular.
Virtually untouchable and revered after winning a premiership in 2006, Cousins career quickly took a turn for the worse.
At his peak, Cousins was undoubtedly the best player in the AFL, with his rapid demise and subsequent total unwillingness to rid himself of negative life influences leaving him a disgrace in the eyes of many who previously hero-worshipped him.
The penny finally dropped last year for Cousins.
Sitting in a cold, cramped jail cell for the sixth time in 13 years, the man known as 'Cuz' was ashamed and ready to atone.
Buoyed by the knowledge that getting clean and healthy was the key to being a good dad to his children, he soon started
