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Tigers’ Cousins hospitalised

By Mr Dandalooa

Former AFL drug-addict Ben Cousins has been hospitalised with severe and persistent stomach pains.

The Richmond star midfielder is likely to miss the Tigers’ final pre-season match after being sent to hospital this week.

The 2005 Brownlow medallist, joined the Tigers last season after being forced to spend a year out of the game because of his drug addiction, is not though to be in a serious condition.

The club’s football manager, Craig Cameron, 31-year-old Cousins would spend at least Thursday night in Epworth Hospital for observation and will undergo a series of medical tests on today.

FootyGoss understands the former West Coast Eagle was required to fast overnight before undergoing tests to discover the cause of the ailment.

“Ben’s condition does not appear serious, but as a precautionary measure we would like some tests done to see what the problem is,” Cameron said.

He said was doubtful Cousins would play against Essendon in the NAB Challenge match in Morwell on Saturday.

Cousins return to footy after recovering from drug addiction has not been a smooth one.

He suffered a serious hamstring injury in round one, 2009 when he made his return to the AFL and debuted as a Tiger.

He played 15 matches for last year and eventually saw a smooth pre-season until the recent stomach illness struck the trouble-plagued former star.

He also tore his hamstring in the opening round against Carlton and missed the club’s following five matches.

Cousins is best known for his successful 238-game career with the Eagles but that has been overshadowed by several major off-field incidents that led to a year-long ban from AFL in 2007.

Cousins was recruited from junior football by the East Fremantle Football Club in the WAFL at a time when three AFL clubs competed to draft him.

Cousins chose the Eagles outfit and debuted in 1996.

During his 11 years with West Coast he won several of the lAFL’s highest individual awards including a Brownlow Medal, Most Valuable Player and a premiership medallion, was selected six times in the All-Australian Team and represented Australia in the International Rules Series.

Cousins was also West Coast’s club champion for four seasons and captain for five seasons.

But his football career has been marred by highly-publicised off-field incidents involving recreational drug use, traffic convictions and association with criminal elements.

On several occasions he was fined or sanctioned by the Eagles, culminating in his contract’s termination in October 2007.

Two months later he was banned from AFL footy for one year by the AFL Commission for “bringing the game into disrepute”.