Ben Cousins goes to water
Sunday Herald Sun | Sue Hewitt | January 10, 2009
A RELAXED Ben Cousins hit the town last night toasting his re-born career - with mineral water.
The Tiger recruit is rebuilding his life in Melbourne and spent a lazy late afternoon in Albert Park.
He and three male friends, including a burly looking man, strolled into the Naked Japan restaurant in Victoria Ave at dusk.
Cousins, who was handed an AFL lifeline by Richmond in the pre-season draft, did not shun the stares of strangers and chose to sit outside.
He ordered sushi rolls and teriyaki chicken, washed down with Splitrock natural mineral water.
Wearing designer ripped jeans and a "hoody", Cousins chattered to friends and ate for about an hour.
Insiders said Cousins - who has declared himself drug free - has been to the restaurant several times since his AFL resurrection.
"He usually comes with a few friends and stays for about an hour," a regular restaurant goer said.
After the meal, Cousins left the restaurant with the burly man and strolled down Victoria Ave about 8.30pm.
Cousins has said his rehabilitation is progressing well and he is "coming to terms with the changes in my lifestyle".
But his past came back to haunt when last month he was linked to an accused gangland identity Angelo Venditti, who charged over the contract killing of Paul Kallipolitis in 2002.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24897292-2862,00.html
