Ben Cousins' search for fresh goals Jon Ralph
Herald Sun
February 18, 2011A REFRESHED and fit Ben Cousins has returned to live in Perth but will be in Melbourne to watch his former side Richmond take on Carlton in the AFL season opener.
Cousins has just returned from a month-long surfing trip in Thailand, designed to help him clear his mind and focus on the next chapter of his life.
His absence from public life had allowed rumours to circulate about how Cousins was coping with life after football.
But manager Carlie Merenda said Cousins was in excellent physical and mental shape and excited about coming projects in business and the media.
He will complete the 19.7km Rottnest swim in a group of four on February 26, having thrown himself into swimming after retirement from football.
He is likely to spend at least the next year in Perth, despite saying at one stage he needed to stay away from his home state and its temptations. The 32-year-old will not play football this year despite overtures from Victorian sides Balwyn and Torquay.
"He's been away for a month or so in Thailand, which he needed after the season to work out what this year held for him, because it's been hard for him to get a moment's break and he is constantly watched," Merenda said.
"He's been watched for 15 years and we know the rumours start, but he is doing extremely well.
"He wouldn't be doing this swim if he wasn't. He is being very honest about the challenges in front of him and he knows they are always going to be there, so he needs to keep himself occupied.
"He is back and will do the swim and is in Perth for at least the next six to 12 months and looking at his work opportunities."
Cousins is fielding offers for media work and is determined to keep himself active as he copes after 15 seasons in AFL football.
"He needs to settle into life after football and there are opportunities presenting themselves work-wise," Merenda said. "He is really getting his feet back on the ground."
In his autobiography last year, Cousins wrote of the challenges ahead of him after football.
"My future is about permanent vigilance: how I watch out for signs of danger, and how I counteract them. How I'm going to harness my need for adrenaline is the main thing," he wrote. "Beyond that, there will always be the spectre of relapse. I'm a drug addict. It's never behind you. But the most lasting benefit from my trouble was the self-knowledge that came with it."
Cousins spent two years at Richmond after being thrown a lifeline by coach Terry Wallace, and is keen to watch both of his former sides play live this year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ben-cousins-search-for-fresh-goals/story-e6frf9jf-1226007840192