AFL legend Ben Cousins has spoken candidly about how his post-sport career has been going since he retired from football in 2010.
The 45-year-old West Coast star attended an exclusive event in Western Australia this week and told the crowd that he may have been a little nervous at first, but is now thoroughly enjoying his new role as sports presenter at 7News.
“I didn’t dare stick my neck out too far. I was afraid I would give too much of my own opinion,” Cousins said.
‘I love my sport and I like to stay up to date with what’s going on in local and international sports. That’s an added blessing.’
The Geelong-born athlete said he was thrilled to be taking part in Channel Seven’s Dancing With The Stars and found it an exciting experience to reach the semi-finals.
“I’ve never been exposed to that world before and I wish I had been. I quickly realized that the opportunity to train and dance with someone who is that good for that many hours, opportunities like that don’t come along,” he said.
“I think I have yet to perform my best dance. It was fun.”
Cousins has been rebuilding his life in recent years after a fall.
AFL legend Ben Cousins (pictured) has spoken candidly about how his post-sport career has been going since retiring from football in 2010
The 45-year-old AFL legend revealed that part of his redemption story will involve reality TV.
The footballer says he has been approached several times by Channel Seven’s SAS Australia, a broadcaster known for signing controversial public figures.
Ben has refused so far, but he agreed to compete on Dancing With The Stars this year, explaining that it would help him get his life back on track by focusing on a new challenge.
The athlete told the Herald Sun that he had previously agreed to the dance competition in 2008, before changing his mind.
The 45-year-old West Coast star attended an exclusive event in Western Australia this week and told the crowd that while he was nervous at first, he is now thoroughly enjoying his new role as sports presenter at 7News
“I’m just in a pretty good position right now and I’m able to take on some new challenges. And now that this is over, I’m probably able to try it for the first time in a long time,” he said.
Ben won the Brownlow Medal in 2005 and captained the West Coast Eagles from 2001 to 2005, winning the club’s best and fairest award four times during those seasons.
His dramatic fall from grace has been well documented since 2007, when he publicly battled drug addiction and tried to come to terms with his failed relationship with Maylea Tinecheff.
The Geelong-born athlete said he was thrilled to be taking part in Channel Seven’s Dancing With The Stars, and said it had been an exciting experience to reach the semi-finals. (Pictured with dance partner Siobhan Power)