Ben Cousins set to play in blockbuster EJ Whitten Legends Game
The Brownlow medallist and AFL premiership champion has announced he will be playing in the upcoming EJ Whitten Legends Game on August 28, which will air live and exclusively on Channel 7 and 7plus.
It's the first time since 2019 that the iconic charity match, which raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer, will be played.
Dropping the news of his inclusion on his Perth radio show on Monday, Cousins said he only made the decision to play in recent days.
'I think it might be time to dust them off. One game, hey? I can get myself up for one,' he told Mix94.5.
'It should be a bit of fun. I'm looking forward to it.
'Shane Crawford is the coach, Nick Riewoldt is the captain. I only decided (to play) over the weekend. But, for me, the chance to play alongside Cyril, you know? I'm excited about that.'
The former West Coast and Richmond midfielder said playing with Hawthorn icon Cyril Rioli was the main drawcard.
'It's a big thing — he was just such a great player,' Cousins told Mix94.5.
'Everyone's situation is different but because he was 28 when he stopped playing, we all felt he had so much good footy left in him.
'To see him run around and have a kick is so exciting and I'm looking forward to handpassing to him or getting one off him'
The likes of Rioli, Gary Ablett Jr, Luke Hodge and Riewoldt are all set to feature in the clash, with Crawford and Tim Watson filling coaching roles.
Now 47, Cousins is still in pristine physical condition, and says he'll be fine getting up for one game, despite having only recently recovered from a hernia operation.
'I'm only just getting over my hernia. It's supposed to be like riding a bike, isn't it?' he joked.
'It's a young man's game but I can get myself up for one, surely. How hard can it be?'
The six-time All-Australian will partner 2006 premiership teammate Andrew Embley, while fellow Eagles favourite Luke Shuey is locked in to pull on the big V for the Victorian outfit.
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