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Controversial AFL legend Ben Cousins has announced he'll be returning to the field in a high–profile match – with the chance to star alongside a fellow great of the game proving too much to resist.
The 47–year–old revealed he'll be playing in the AFL Legends game at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on August 28, joking, 'How hard can it be?' after last playing first grade 15 years ago.
'I think it might be time to dust them [the footy boots] off. One game, hey? I can get myself up for one! It should be a bit of fun… I'm looking forward to it,' Cousins said on Mix94.5's Pete & Kymba with Ben Cousins radio show on Monday.
The West Coast Eagles premiership–winner will take to the field with a host of big names, but the one that sticks out for him is former Hawks superstar Cyril Rioli.
'Shane Crawford is the coach; Nick Riewoldt is the captain. I only decided [to play] over the weekend. But, for me, the chance to play alongside Cyril, you know? I'm excited about that,' he said.
'It's a big thing; he was just such a great player.
Ben Cousins will join a long list of other AFL greats as he plays in the Legends match in Melbourne later this month
The 47–year–old has kept himself in great shape – and joked 'how hard can it be?' when he was asked about having just over three weeks to prepare for the match
Cousins (pictured playing for West Coast in 2004) couldn't resist the chance to play alongside fellow footy great Cyril Rioli
'Everyone's situation is different but because he was 28 when he stopped playing, we all felt he had so much good footy left in him.
'To see him run around and have a kick is so exciting and I'm looking forward to handpassing to him or getting one off him!'
Last month, Rioli stunned footy fans by announcing he'll run out for the All Stars side against their Victorian opposition in the match, which will raise funds for the Australian Prostate Cancer Centre.
Rioli's bombshell exit from the game came after he accused Hawthorn of having a shocking relationship with its Indigenous players, and later penned an open letter about his experiences.
When Cousins was reminded that the Legends game is only just over three weeks away, he replied, 'It's supposed to be like riding a bike, isn't it?
'It's a young man's game but I can get myself up for one, surely. How hard can it be?'
Cousins – who is also working for Channel Seven in Perth – has kept himself in great shape since he was released from jail in 2019 after several stints behind bars.
He recently looked super–fit as he took the rare step of publicly posting photos with his children after they enjoyed a family holiday in Western Australia.
Cousins was also joined on a cruise by a host of other A–list Australian celebrities, including radio presenter Fifi Box, former host of The Project Carrie Bickmore, and former West Coast Eagles teammate Chris Judd and his wife Bec Judd.
Cousins' battles with addiction have been well documented since they became public in 2007 after a series of off–field incidents, including arrests and suspensions.
He was suspended from the AFL in 2007 and returned in 2009 to play two seasons with Richmond before retiring.
