Latest news with #BenCousins
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ben Cousins weighs in on Harley Reid's future amid $20m call
Ben Cousins says he can't see why Harley Reid would leave West Coast amid constant speculation about the 20-year-old's AFL future. Reid has played his best football in the past month for the Eagles and was their best player in a 49-point loss to Richmond on the weekend, racking up 27 disposals and two goals. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. The midfielder has long been linked with a move back to Victoria once his rookie contract expires, but reports emerged over the weekend that his camp was discussing a contract extension at West Coast worth up to $20 million. Eagles legend Cousins said on Monday he is hopeful Reid will remain at the Eagles for the long term. 'I don't see any reason why he won't (stay),' Cousins told Mix 94.5. 'I haven't seen anything to suggest why he would leave. He's got so much footy ahead of him that if he puts his head down and makes the most of wherever he is, hopefully West Coast, then there is a lot to look forward to in the future. 'I think regardless of where Harley ends up, if he just focuses on playing good footy, the financial side of things, he's not going to have to worry about. 'He's going to get very well paid.' Reid wears the No. 9 guernsey previously donned by Cousins, the 2005 Brownlow Medallist and 2006 premiership player, and All Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui. Journalist Ryan Daniels reported on Triple M a number of options had been presented to the club about what a new deal could look like for Reid. One contract stipulation is reportedly a 'long-term commitment', news that would be music to the ears of the fan base. 'There's been a bit of a twist in this one because nothing has happened for quite a while and I can tell you the latest with this one is a bit of a strange one because my understanding is Harley's management have put some options to the West Coast Eagles to stay,' Daniels said on Triple M. 'One of them in particular is a very long deal, I don't know the specific number of years but it was described to me as very long as I think you could imagine would be nine or 10-year range. 'It would have to be between 15 and 20 million, and I would say we're heading closer to the 20 million … if you're talking 10 years into the future (salaries will go up in that time). 'I found this fascinating, the West Coast Eagles have had these presented to them weeks ago, and they haven't necessarily done anything with it just yet. 'I just found it fascinating that instead of the Eagles putting the offer on the table to consider all these options … we've now had a conversation 'well what about this?' 'And it's got a potential for Harley to have a look at a very long-term deal that will keep him at the West Coast Eagles and clearly there is some interest from Harley's side. 'That is a pretty significant update on that situation and I know there is going to be a meeting in the next few days between West Coast and Harley's management to discuss the specifics.' West Coast fans were left frustrated by the heavy loss at home to fellow rebuilding side Richmond, with the Tigers notching up their fifth win of the season. 'West Coast supporters have been, by and large, unbelievable over a really tough period the last few years,' Cousins said. 'I think they still turn up in numbers, they've been very good. 'I think (the loss to the Tigers) may have hit players and supporters harder because it was the first game this year the Eagles went in as favourites, and both sides would have said it was a very winnable game. 'So maybe the expectation was a little higher … and they just fell short. They can and will do better.' Eagles coach Andrew McQualter, speaking after the club's loss to Richmond, conceded too much was being asked of Reid, at a time where his future remains unclear after next year. 'We're aware we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield,' McQualter said. 'It's not an easy position for him. 'I thought Harley was by far our best player … I love the way he went about it. 'I loved his team first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates. 'As a team, we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. There's no AFL team ever that relies on one player to be good. 'He's absolutely in (at West Coast) – he is a competitor. He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ben Cousins shows off some VERY rare photos of him with his kids on a wild Aussie holiday
Ben Cousins might find himself fielding AFL contract offers from battlers like St Kilda if he is not careful, after his latest Instagram post showed the former West Coast star looking shredded while taking a break with his children. 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. Cousins faced numerous legal issues between 2010 and 2019, including drug possession, breaching restraining orders, and stalking, which led to multiple jail sentences. He was last jailed in 2019 but had all outstanding charges cleared by the end of that year. Since then, Cousins' fight against drug addiction has seen him make a comeback that has completely turned his life around. While the 47-year-old tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight these days, he recently shared happy snaps from a visit to the north of Western Australia on holiday with his young family. Cousins travelled to Kimberley Sands Resort in Broome with his two children Angelique, 11, and Bobby, 13, from his previous relationship with their mother Maya. 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. 'Holidays up North… even better than I remembered,' he posted. 'Great stay Kimberley Sands Resort, already planning a trip back.' While many footy fans remember the sad and alarming images of an emaciated and bearded Cousins during his addiction battle, he looked a picture of health on his family holiday. With a ripped physique that would put many current players to shame, he engaged in a series of wholesome activities with his children including fishing, swimming, and a helicopter ride across the WA terrain. Cousins has previously been busy with his media duties and appearance on Dancing With The Stars. Normally a very private person, Cousins was happy to pose and smile for photos on his journey with his son and daughter 'Benny, you're a f***ing legend brother,' one commented. 'Every single person in Australia is happy to see you up and about my brother. You are a true inspiration and a true Aussie. 'Congratulations on the new life and enjoy every second.' 'So proud of you Ben, every time I see your smiling face it is just lit up with joy,' another posted. 'Love seeing you happy and love listening to you every morning on the radio - this is what we always dreamed of for you. Looks like an awesome trip.' Since turning his life around, Ben Cousins has taken significant steps to rebuild both his career and reputation. He returned to football in a community role with the West Coast Eagles, helping promote youth development and engagement. Later, he began coaching the Perth Demons' under-19 colts team, contributing to the next generation of local players. Cousins has also re-entered the media, taking on roles as a football analyst and more recently as a co-host on a Perth breakfast radio show.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Ben Cousins looking ripped in Broome with Chris and Bec Judd
West Coast Eagles legend Ben Cousins was reunited with premiership teammate Chris Judd and his influencer wife Bec Judd as they lived it up in Broome. The Brownlow medal winning pair escaped the cold and spent some time in the Broome sun, staying at Kimberley Sands Resort last week. Cousins shared pics of his getaway to social media including a snap of a star-studded yacht that included himself, the Judds, Carrie Bickmore, Fifi Box and Jessie Roberts. Captioning the post, Cousins said: 'Holidays up North… even better than I remembered... Already planning a trip back!' While out and about, the six time All-Australian was out catching some dinner with his kids and showing off his physique that looks fit enough to still be out on the field. Ben Cousins is living it up in Broome. Credit: Instagram / Ben Cousins / Ben Cousins Cousins and Judd played 123 games together at West Coast in the mid 2000s, including the famous 2006 grand final when they helped lift the Eagles over Sydney for a one-point win. The 2005 Brownlow medallist appears to have bounced back fit and firing after recently revealing that he spent the night in hospital for a hernia operation, which saw him endure the most pain he's ever been in. 'I had a little bubble or lump pop up where it probably shouldn't a couple of months ago, and I've been in denial, if you like,' Cousins said on Triple M in June. Ben Cousins is living it up in Broome. Credit: Instagram / Ben Cousins / Ben Cousins 'I hadn't gone in and had the ultrasound and I thought I'd put it off until the end of the footy season, I'd hang on for 12 more games — you'd swear I was still playing. 'I may have been in as much pain (before in my life), but I have never been in more. I was ready to pass out, all this sort of stuff, couldn't talk. 'I did go down (like) Autumn leaves.'
RNZ News
13-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
'Hopefully we can lend a hand' - more Kiwi fire-fighters head to Canada
Fires in Manitoba earlier this year. Photo: Manitoba government / AFP New Zealand is sending more fire-fighters to Canada to help with out-of-control wildfires. A contingent of 43 people was set to fly from Auckland to Vancouver and then Winnipeg in the Manitoba province, in addition to [ seven fire specialists who arrived in Canada this week] There were 105 active wildfires in Manitoba as of Sunday NZ time. Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) said 30 of their mostly volunteer fire-fighters were a part of the group heading over on Sunday night. Representatives from the Department of Conservation, forestry companies and the New Plymouth District Council would also join them in Canada for five weeks. FENZ Remutaka Station rural fire officer Ben Cousins said Manitoba was experiencing one of its worst fire seasons in years, with 1.2 million hectares burnt so far. He said FENZ crews were preparing for long days of tough, physical work, camping out in tents and working along the edge of fire-affected spots. "We're going to be in pretty remote areas, doing quite arduous fire fighting. "Where we're going looks to be quite swampy with a lot of tall timber, so we'll be doing a lot of mopping up, digging up hotspots, and working to contain parts of the wildfires." He did not expect fire services here to be put under strain as a result of the deployment. "We've got a spread of fire-fighters going [to Canada] from Northland right down to Southland. "As a percentage of our fire-fighters, it's a fairly small contingent we're taking over. "The real benefit for New Zealand is the experience our fire-fighters will bring back, getting to work on fires that are significantly more extreme than we generally get here but could potentially face in the future." FENZ community readiness and recovery advisor Steve Ochsner said as well as wildfires, they would need to carefully manage crew burnout. "We're working 14 days solid with three days off and then we'll work another 14 days before coming home, so we'll really have to watch our fatigue." FENZ National Trainer Emma Gibb said she was prepared for the challenge. "We're equipped with the training we need to be able to sustain that arduous work expected of us. "Hopefully we can lend a hand and provide a bit of reprieve for fire fighters over there that have been working long durations." While initially heading north of Winnipeg, the fire-fighters said they could move elsewhere during their deployment, with wildfires raging throughout Canada. As of Sunday NZ time, there were 518 wildfires across multiple provinces in the country, with roughly 145 of these considered out of control. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Chris Judd and Ben Cousins reunite at star-studded party in Perth
Ben Cousins and Chris Judd have reunited for a big party on a yacht on Cable Island in Western Australia. The Eagles icons, who guided West Coast to their first premiership in 12 years back in 2006, locked arms and beamed from ear to ear as they posed with family members and friends aboard the cruise ship. Judd's wife, Bec, took to Instagram to post several pictures of the party, with the model and TV presenter stunning in a turquoise gown. The group danced the night away aboard the boat as they soaked up the sunshine. Next year, the West Coast will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their epic premiership triumph, with both Judd and Cousins starring in their one-point victory against Sydney in the AFL Grand Final that year. The two Brownlow Medallists are known to be good friends and last September, Cousins was seen posing for snaps at a black-tie event with Judd's partner Bec at a black-tie event. Chris Judd (left) and Ben Cousins (second left) reunited as they partied with friends and family members on a boat in Western Australia's Cable Island The images were published online by Bec Judd (pictured) who dazzled in a flowing blue gown Cousins and Judd (left and righ) are bound by their epic 2006 AFL Grand Final victory Bec had posted a snap on the social media platform with her and Cousins, writing: 'OG's only! @BenCousins_official is on the gram. '@Instagram any chance of a blue tick for the Prince of Perth?!' The photos come after Cousins revealed he had been recovering following a recent stint in hospital. The midfield maestro, dubbed the 'Prince of Perth' was rushed to surgery on a hernia in June after being in excruciating pain. Cousins had said the pain was so bad that he was 'ready to pass out'. It came after the footy star had attended State of Origin II at the Optus Stadium. 'I'm a little tender actually. I went in for a hernia op on Friday — not much fun,' Cousins told Triple M. 'I had a little bubble or lump pop up where it probably shouldn't a couple of months ago, and I've been in denial. Judd's partner Bec (right) also stopped to pose for snaps with friends on the beach The group danced and sang as the sun set over the Western Australian coastline 'I hadn't gone in and had the ultrasound and I thought I'd put it off until the end of the footy season, I'd hang on for 12 more games — you'd swear I was still playing. 'But I went to the State of Origin on Wednesday night, it was a great game, got home, and then I went in to put my daughter to sleep, and I sat on her bed, and then out of nowhere, this pain came. 'I may have been in as much pain (before in my life), but I have never been in more. I was ready to pass out, all this sort of stuff, couldn't talk. 'I did go down (like) Autumn leaves.' He then revealed that he had taken himself to the hospital the following morning. Judd and Cousins would play alongside each other at the Eagles between 2002 and 2007. The pair both left the footy club for pastures new the year after their epic Grand Final triumph, with Judd going on to join Carlton, while Cousins signing for their Victoria rivals, Richmond. While Judd would go on to make 145 appearances for the Blues, before retiring in 2015, Cousins hung up the boots in 2010. The photos come after Cousins revealed he had been recovering following a recent stint in hospital Judd, who has been working as a fund manager since retiring, and his partner Bec recently sold their Arthur's Seat holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula He had been battling several off-field issues, including an addiction problem. During that troubled period, Judd had been there to support his great mate, revealing to The Age he had been in contact with his former Eagles team-mate. Judd, who has been working as a fund manager since retiring, and his partner Bec recently sold their Arthur's Seat holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula. It was listed with a $2.85-$3m asking price, but it was not clear how much the home was sold for.
