Few footy fans need reminding of Ben Cousins’ talent — a Brownlow Medal, 270 games, six All-Australian blazers. But the story that’s drawn eyes in 2025 isn’t about his on-field brilliance; it’s about hospital visits, his father’s motor neurone disease diagnosis, and a sobriety journey that’s quietly changed everything. Here’s what the latest reports tell us about where he stands now.

4 related posts

Age: 47 (as of 2025) ·
AFL games played: 270 ·
Brownlow Medals: 1 (2005) ·
Current role: Media presenter at 7 Perth ·
Father’s condition: Bryan Cousins diagnosed with MND

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact date of full sobriety (reportedly around 2021, not confirmed)
  • Current partner’s identity (kept private)
  • Full details of his medical condition post-hospital in early 2025
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues media role with 7 Perth and radio
  • Supporting father through MND journey
  • Advocating for mental health and addiction recovery

Twelve key facts, one pattern: Ben Cousins’ life has been a series of public highs and lows, from Brownlow glory to drug arrests, and now a quieter chapter defined by family duty and health battles.

Label Value
Full name Benjamin Luke Cousins
Born 30 June 1978
Height 179 cm
Weight 78 kg
Position Midfielder
AFL teams West Coast Eagles (1996–2007), Richmond (2009–2010)
Games 270
Goals 202
Brownlow Medal 1 (2005)
Children Two: son Bobby and daughter Angelique (The West Australian (Perth-based daily))
Father’s health Bryan Cousins diagnosed with MND (May 2026) (news.com.au (News Corp Australia))
Sober since Reportedly 2021

How is Ben Cousins doing now?

As of 2025, Ben Cousins is working as a media presenter for 7 Perth and co-hosting a breakfast show on the Hit Network (Wikipedia (community-edited reference)). His Instagram bio — “loving kids, family, footy, and leading a healthy lifestyle” — reflects the public-facing identity he’s built since his recovery.

What is Ben Cousins’ current occupation?

  • Media presenter on 7 Perth’s sports coverage
  • Breakfast radio host on the Hit Network (joined February 2025) (Wikipedia (community-edited reference))
  • Occasional public speaker on mental health and addiction

Is Ben Cousins still involved with football?

He has participated in charity matches, including the EJ Whitten Legends Game, though he pulled out of the 2025 edition due to knee surgery (PerthNow (West Australian news)). He does not hold a formal coaching or administrative role in the AFL.

The upshot

Cousins has rebuilt a public presence on his own terms — media work, not footy, is his anchor. For fans wondering if he’d return to the AFL, the answer is clear: he’s chosen a different path.

When did Ben Cousins get sober?

Ben Cousins’ struggle with methamphetamine addiction was well documented from the mid-2000s onward. He was arrested multiple times between 2017 and 2020 and spent time in prison. According to multiple reports, he achieved sobriety around 2021 (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster)).

What milestones marked his recovery?

  • 2017–2020: Multiple arrests for drug possession and stalking
  • 2018: Released from prison, reunited with children (The West Australian (Perth-based daily))
  • 2021: Reportedly became sober
  • 2024: Participated in Dancing with the Stars Australia (Wikipedia (community-edited reference))

How long has he been sober?

If the 2021 date is accurate, Cousins has maintained sobriety for roughly four years as of 2025. The exact date is not publicly confirmed, but his consistent media work and public appearances suggest stability.

Bottom line: Ben Cousins appears to have been sober since 2021, a turnaround that began after his 2018 prison release. For fans tracking his recovery, the key marker is consistent public presence without relapse. For those concerned about addiction relapse, the risk remains real, but four years is a significant milestone.

Has Ben Cousins got children?

Yes, Cousins has two children. Reports from 2018, after his release from prison, identified his son as Bobby and his daughter as Angelique (The West Australian (Perth-based daily)). He shares custody with their mother, though details of the arrangement are private.

What are his children’s names?

  • Son: Bobby
  • Daughter: Angelique

How old are they?

Their exact ages are not publicly known, but based on the 2018 reunion, they were likely in primary or early secondary school in 2025. Cousins often posts about them on Instagram, though he keeps their faces out of the public eye.

The implication: Family has been a central pillar of Cousins’ recovery. He has spoken about the importance of being present for his children, and the 2018 reunion marked a turning point in his personal life.

Does Ben Cousins’ father have MND?

Yes. In May 2026, Bryan Cousins — a former West Australian Football League star — publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (news.com.au (News Corp Australia)). Ben Cousins said he was “going OK” and was humbled by the support of friends and the community (The West Australian (Perth-based daily)).

What is MND?

Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects nerve cells controlling movement. There is currently no cure. The diagnosis has connected Ben Cousins with the Daniher family — Bec Daniher, daughter of Neale Daniher (who also has MND), said they “share a bond through our dads.”

How has Bryan Cousins’ diagnosis affected Ben?

Ben Cousins has spoken publicly about the emotional weight of his father’s illness. He has participated in MND awareness events and continues to support his father. The diagnosis has added a new layer of responsibility to a life already marked by public scrutiny.

What to watch

Ben Cousins’ role as a carer for his father is a new chapter. For those following his story, it raises the question: how will he balance media work, his own recovery, and family duty? The coming months will show whether he steps back from public life to focus on Bryan.

Why did Ben Cousins retire?

Ben Cousins retired from the AFL in 2010 after being sacked by the Richmond Tigers. The decision was driven by his ongoing drug addiction and off-field issues, which had plagued him since his time at West Coast (Wikipedia (community-edited reference)).

What factors led to his retirement?

  • 2007: Sacked by West Coast after being charged with drug possession
  • 2008: Suspended by the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute
  • 2009–2010: Played 32 games for Richmond, but personal struggles continued
  • 2010: Retired after being delisted by Richmond

Did addiction play a role?

Absolutely. Cousins himself has acknowledged that his addiction to methamphetamine derailed his career. The 2007 sacking by West Coast was a direct result of his drug use, and while he attempted a comeback at Richmond, the pattern continued.

The catch: Cousins’ retirement was not a voluntary decision — it was forced by the consequences of addiction. His later recovery shows that the person who left the game is not the same person who has rebuilt his life.

Why did Ben Cousins go to the hospital?

In early 2025, Ben Cousins was rushed to hospital after experiencing severe abdominal pain. He later revealed it was a hernia that required surgery, and described the pain as “the most pain I’ve ever been in” (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster)). He had noticed a lump or bubble months earlier but delayed seeking treatment (Yahoo News Australia (news aggregator)).

What was the medical emergency?

A hernia that required surgery. Cousins underwent the operation and posted on Instagram afterward, saying he was “just out of surgery” and recovering (PerthNow (West Australian news)).

Was it related to his addiction?

No. The hernia was a medical issue, not a relapse. However, the incident highlighted the pattern of denial that Cousins has acknowledged — he said he was “in denial” before finally seeking help (Yahoo News Australia (news aggregator)).

The pattern

Cousins’ delay in seeking medical help mirrors the denial he described during his addiction years. For someone in recovery, the vigilance needed to address physical health is just as important as mental health. The hospital scare was a reminder that old habits can resurface in new forms.

Timeline

  • 30 June 1978 – Born in Geelong, Victoria
  • 1996 – AFL debut for West Coast Eagles
  • 2005 – Wins Brownlow Medal
  • 2007 – Sacked by West Coast; legal issues begin
  • 2009–2010 – Plays for Richmond Tigers
  • 2010 – Retires from AFL
  • 2017 – Arrested multiple times for drug possession and stalking
  • 2018 – Released from prison; reunited with children Bobby and Angelique (The West Australian (Perth-based daily))
  • 2021 – Reportedly achieves sobriety
  • 2024 – Appears on Dancing with the Stars Australia (Wikipedia (community-edited reference))
  • Early 2025 – Rushed to hospital for hernia surgery (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster))
  • May 2026 – Father Bryan Cousins reveals MND diagnosis (news.com.au (News Corp Australia))

The pattern across this timeline is one of escalating consequences followed by incremental rebuilding. Each setback — the sacking, the arrests, the prison stint — was followed by a small step forward, culminating in the relatively stable chapter Cousins occupies now.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • Born 30 June 1978
  • Played 270 AFL games
  • Won 2005 Brownlow Medal
  • Has two children: Bobby and Angelique (The West Australian (Perth-based daily))
  • Father diagnosed with MND (May 2026) (news.com.au (News Corp Australia))
  • Rushed to hospital for hernia surgery in early 2025 (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster))
  • Works as media presenter for 7 Perth and radio host

What’s unclear

  • Exact date of full sobriety (reportedly 2021, not independently confirmed)
  • Current partner’s identity (kept private)
  • Full details of his current medical condition post-hospital (no public update on hernia recovery)
  • Names of children were not publicly confirmed until 2018 report; some sources still say “not public” – but The West Australian article names them

Quotes

“I was in denial before rushing myself to hospital.”

— Ben Cousins, on his 2025 health scare (Yahoo News Australia (news aggregator))

“We share a bond through our dads.”

— Bec Daniher, on the connection with Ben Cousins after Bryan’s MND diagnosis (news.com.au (News Corp Australia))

“He has turned his life around since 2021.”

— AFL media commentary, summarizing Cousins’ sobriety journey (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster))

“I’ve been humbled by the support of friends and the wider community.”

— Ben Cousins, on the response to his father’s diagnosis (The West Australian (Perth-based daily))

Summary

Ben Cousins’ story is no longer just about the drugs and the footy — it’s about a man in his late 40s juggling a media career, fatherhood, and the painful duty of watching his own father battle MND. The 2025 hospital scare was a reminder that recovery is not a straight line, but it’s also not a relapse. For the West Australian football community that watched him rise and fall, the next chapter is being written in quiet moments: a radio show, a social media post, a hospital visit. For Ben Cousins, the choice is clear: keep showing up, or risk losing everything he’s rebuilt.

Additional sources

youtube.com, sbs.com.au, dailymail.co.uk, thewest.com.au, thewest.com.au, sbs.com.au

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Frequently asked questions

Is Ben Cousins still addicted to drugs?

According to reports, he achieved sobriety around 2021 and has maintained it. No public incidents suggest a relapse.

Has Ben Cousins returned to AFL in any capacity?

No. He works as a media presenter and radio host, but does not hold a formal role in the AFL.

What is Ben Cousins’ net worth in 2025?

Exact figures are not publicly available. His AFL career earnings and current media work suggest a comfortable lifestyle, but no verified net worth has been published.

Does Ben Cousins have a new partner?

His current relationship status is private. He has not publicly introduced a new partner since his separation from the mother of his children.

How many children does Ben Cousins have and what are their names?

Two: son Bobby and daughter Angelique, as reported by The West Australian in 2018. He shares custody with their mother.

What is motor neurone disease (MND)?

MND is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. There is no cure, and it leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. Neale Daniher and Bryan Cousins are two prominent Australian figures with the condition.

How can I follow Ben Cousins on social media?

He is active on Instagram under the handle @ben.cousins. He posts about his children, media work, and healthy lifestyle.