Ben Cousins looks healthy and happy as he returns to the Brownlow Medal in Melbourne – after turning his life around following drug addiction and prison ordeal

Ben Cousins ​​looked happy and healthy as he made a triumphant return to the red carpet at the Brownlow Medal on Monday evening.

The once troubled athlete, 45, looked every bit the gentlemanly gentleman as he posed with his sister Melanie on the red carpet.

Melanie turned heads in a silver beaded dress that hugged her sensational figure.

She finished the look with a simple clutch and amped up her height with an understated pair of strappy heels.

The gorgeous brunette wore her locks down for the prestigious event and highlighted her features with a warm makeup palette.

The once troubled athlete, 45, looked every inch the dapper gentleman as he posed on the red carpet with a stunning mystery brunette. Both shown

Once one of the Code’s biggest stars, Ben was jailed six times over the span of thirteen years for a series of serious crimes.

Ben finally realized enough was enough when he was released from prison in December 2020 after serving seven months behind bars when he was found guilty of stalking and intimidating his former partner.

Nearly three years later, 45-year-old Cousins ​​has stayed out of trouble ever since.

Ben’s path to redemption was sealed earlier this year when he landed a full-time job at Seven News in Perth, presenting the morning sports bulletin.

Cousins ​​said he felt alive again during his first sit-down interview in years ahead of attending this year’s Brownlow Medal.

It will be the first time the 2005 winner has attended the awards ceremony in Melbourne.

The former West Coast Eagles star admitted he wasn’t ready for full-time work after his longest spell behind bars.

He worked with a community football club Queens Park, which he had no prior involvement with.

What started as a few offseason training sessions over the summer turned into playing in front of 1,000 fans within months.

“I know I’m starting way back, but I had to feel like I was contributing,” Cousins ​​told The Australian.

Once one of the Code’s biggest stars, Ben was jailed six times over the span of thirteen years for a series of serious offenses

‘I was out of my comfort zone and met new people. For me, football was a constant. I like to have a kick and that gets me involved in the community again. It played a very important role in my recovery.’

‘I felt like I was in a position to go full-time and that was just a great lesson and reminder for me, especially for all people, of the important role that local football clubs and having a community play in the people’s lives.’

The cousins ​​acknowledged that he has been given more than his fair share of opportunities to turn his life around.

Cousins ​​has been to prison six times in a span of thirteen years. He is pictured at the Fremantle Magistrates Court

“I got a third, fourth and fifth for some reason. But that’s what was taken. I want to make sure that other people in those kinds of positions get the same understanding that I did and the same help in the way that I did,” he added.

Cousins ​​regularly sees his son Bobby (11) and daughter Angelique (9) and now prefers a good book before bed to partying all night until the early hours.

Seven News colleagues believe his children are the reason Cousins ​​won’t reoffend.

Cousins ​​revealed he is ‘learning every day’ after making his debut as Seven News sports presenter in June.

‘It was fun. A journey, but I’m learning every day,” said Cousins, who was already contributing to Seven’s AFL coverage, as the analyst said at the time.

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

Ben Cousins ​​(left) celebrates with teammate Chris Judd after the West Coast Eagles won an AFL grand final thriller in 2006