Latest news with #WestCoastEagles
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ben Cousins celebrates his family member's wheelchair basketball success in a rare glimpse into his private life
Footy legend Ben Cousins has grabbed his second chance at life after finally beating his drug addiction - and his family-first ethos was on display recently when he showed off his pride in a relative after attending her basketball game. Cousins, 47, was courtside watching his cousin Ebony, who is a member of the Perth Wheelcats wheelchair hoops team. The former West Coast Eagles captain posted an Instagram story where he proudly posed with the youngster - before adding a video of Ebony in action. 'She is my inspirational 14-year-old cousin,' Cousins told his followers. 'In awe watching her incredible work for the Perth Wheelcats.' It comes after the AFL premiership winner recently enjoyed a family holiday in the Kimberley region of Western Australia with his two children, Angelique and Bobby. 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, plus ex-West Coast Eagles teammate Chris Judd and his wife Bec Judd. 'Holidays up North….even better than I remembered,' he posted. 'Great stay (at) Kimberley Sands Resort, already planning a trip back.' Cousins' battles with addiction have been well documented since they became public in 2007 following a series of alarming 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 stints in jail. He was last behind bars in 2019 - but since then, Cousins has kept his nose clean. The champion midfielder is in great shape physically, and now works in the media for Channel 7 - and previously co-hosted a Perth breakfast radio show.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
See the telling signs that are fuelling speculation one of footy's biggest stars has split with his AFLW girlfriend
In-demand footy star Harley Reid could be single and ready to mingle, if his updated Instagram is any guide. The West Coast Eagles midfielder, 20, has been dating Yasmin Duursma since January last year - but the footballers appear to have split. Duursma plays for Carlton in the AFLW, and the pair have known one another since their pre-teens after both growing up in Victoria. A quick search of Reid's Instagram page reveals the rising star has removed Duursma's initials from his Instagram bio - while Duursma has deleted pictures of the pair from her own feed. The couple made their red carpet debut together at last year's Brownlow Medal. Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that Reid could sign the 'biggest deal in AFL history' with West Coast. Reid has known Duursma (pictured together) since they were both growing up in Victoria AFL Media reporter Cal Twomey told Footy Classified this week it was 'crunch time' when it comes to Reid's future in Western Australia. 'He's had contract offers in front of him since April that have come from the Eagles,' Twomey said. 'But in recent weeks, his management have sent counter offers to the Eagles – and a part of that includes a mammoth offer that would be a two-year extension, plus an extension on top of that of another nine years. 'So an 11-year arrangement. 'This is ground-breaking, really, it would be the biggest deal in AFL history by some way and it would take him through to the end of 2037. '(We are talking) $20 million-plus would be on the table.' Hawthorn and Geelong - who Reid supported as a child - are also said to be interested in securing his services. If struggling West Coast - who have only won one game this AFL season - and Reid agreed to the bumper deal tabled by his management, it would be similar to the contract offered to Port Adelaide's Miles Bergman. Bergman, 23, inked a two-year deal in July and can sign for an extra seven years with the Power if he chooses.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eagles to farewell premiership heroes in Crows clash
West Coast have announced their plan to honour recently retired premiership heroes Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern as the Eagles hope to give the pair a 'rousing blue and gold send off.' Eagles fans will get a final chance to see the pair on the Optus Stadium turf, with the CEO Don Pyke announcing they will be thanked for the service in next round's home game against Adelaide. McGovern was forced into medical retirement following repeat concussions on June 20, with Sheed retiring less than two weeks later after an ACL injury suffered in the pre-season. Pyke admits it will be a 'bittersweet' farewell. 'Before the season draws to a close, we will recognise two of our retiring premiership greats – Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed,' he said in an open letter to fans. 'It is always bittersweet to farewell such wonderful people and players, and both Jeremy and Dom should be incredibly proud of the significant contributions they have made to our Club. 'Both are Life Members of our Club, and they will forever be inextricably linked as the bookends of that famous match-winning passage of play in the 2018 Grand Final. The West Coast Eagles win the AFL Grand Final: Dom Sheed, Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass & Chris Masten. Michael Wilson, The West Australian. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian 'We will honour them at our next home game at Optus Stadium against Adelaide on Sunday, August 10 to thank them and give them a rousing blue and gold send-off.' Adelaide has become a regular opponent for the Eagles to honour retiring greats with Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Nic Naitanui all being acknowledged during their round 23 clash against the Crows in 2023. The season prior, Josh Kennedy played his final game, kicking eight goals against them in a memorable send-off. It comes as Pyke thanked Eagles fans for their staunch support during what has been another tough season with the club passing 100,000 members for the sixth consecutive year. 'The loyalty of so many West Coast Eagles families is something truly special and deserves to be celebrated,' he said. 'I want to sincerely thank you for your passion and commitment. These past few seasons have tested us all, but through every challenge, you've kept showing up. 'We know we have a lot of work to do to lift ourselves back up the ladder, but we believe in the path we are on and appreciate your support.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Harley Reid's management table ‘biggest deal in AFL history' to Eagles
Harley Reid could be set to put pen to paper on the 'biggest deal in AFL history' with the West Coast Eagles. As Victorian clubs continue to circle the 20-year-old in the hopes of luring him back home, it now appears his future looks likely to remain in Perth. 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. On Sunday it was revealed the young star's management had approached the Eagles to discuss potential contract extensions beyond 2026 when his rookie contract expires. AFL Media reporter Cal Twomey detailed further information behind the offers tabled with one set to rewrite the record books. 'It's hitting crunch time in the contract decision of Harley Reid at the West Coast Eagles,' Twomey told Footy Classified. 'He's had contract offers in front of him since April that have come from the Eagles. But in recent weeks, his management have sent counter offers to the Eagles – and a part of that we can detail tonight include a mammoth offer that would be a two-year extension, plus an extension on top of that of another nine years. So an 11-year arrangement. 'This is groundbreaking, really, in terms of what it would mean for West Coast Eagles and Harley Reid as one of the options. We've seen this in recent times with the contract of Miles Bergman, who signed a two-year deal and then has an understanding with Port Adelaide that he can sign an extra seven years beyond that. So it's not unprecedented. 'But it would be the biggest deal in AFL history by some way and it would take him through to the end of 2037 – which is remarkable to think about – if he was to pursue that all the way through. 'This is enormous in terms of the $20 million-plus that would be on the table.' The staggering potential contract quickly whipped around AFL circles with fans divided on the deal. Lachy Steele wrote on X: 'Absolute insanity. Besides last weekend he hasn't shown he's worth anywhere near that.' ESPN's Jasper Chellappah wrote: 'Think this is really fair from Harley's camp. Commits to the club short term, gives West Coast three years to improve and if they're still a rabble he goes home.' Twomey stated the contract negotiations haven't moved a great deal, leaving the door open for Victorian teams to continue to try and poach him. 'The Eagles are still weighing this up and going through their own negotiation process – and clubs are continuing to hunt him in Victoria,' he said. 'I think Hawthorn are near-on obsessed with Harley Reid in getting him to the club. They want him badly, are willing to go to eight to 10 years at $1.7 million, $1.8 million to get him across the line.' Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson noted that Reid's camp were not interested in joining a rebuilding club if he were to ultimately return home. 'The player and his family have made it clear they do not want to go to a struggling club,' Wilson told Agenda Setters. 'They've got no interest in St Kilda, they've got no interest in Melbourne. I'm not sure if they've got much interest in Essendon at the moment, but Essendon have no interest in that sort of money. 'They (the Bombers) think that Hawthorn is right in there – and Hawthorn say there have been no meaningful talks – others say that Richmond and Melbourne are having a crack. 'I think West Coast also said to the management 'we're not interested in that sort of money' … but what has happened in the last 24 hours is that I think West Coast have come back to the table – and we're talking significantly more than $1.5 million a year.' Kane Cornes questioned if the absurd figures being thrown around would be the right way to go for the young star still trying to find his feet in the game. 'No criticism to him but are West Coast, with the issues they've had with the behaviour of their biggest stars over the journey — is that setting him up in the best possible way to be the best player he can be?' Cornes asked. 'This is what he's going to get every week. 'He gets 20 in the first half (against Richmond), he's on track for career-best numbers and they go 'OK we've had enough of this, we're just going to put a tagger on him'. 'If you play West Coast you are stupid if you don't tag Harley Reid, which is so unfair for him in his second year to cop that. 'It is going to get very, very boring for him playing in that side when he cops that treatment and loses every week.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Footy star reveals the simple diet change he used to beat horrible disease that is ruining the lives of tens of thousands of Aussies
Jake Waterman enjoyed one of his best seasons in a gold and blue guernsey in 2024. The 27-year-old was the West Coast's leading goal kicker, booting 53 goals for the year, which is a career high for the key forward. But rewind the tape back, and things were very different for Waterman, who had been unknowingly suffering from a horrible illness that over 180,000 people in Australia currently suffer from. He admitted he'd wake up in the morning suffering from severe pain in his abdomen and struggled to play footy. Prior to a game in 2023, the Eagles star had been feeling nauseous, had severe stomach cramps and was suffering from diarrhoea. 'I had to fly home and get myself into a hospital because I couldn't do anything, I was too ill,' Waterman told The Daily Telegraph. Waterman (right) was diagnosed with the illness back in 2023 after spending several weeks in hospital The footy star was subsequently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), after spending several weeks in hospital. UC is a bowel disorder that can cause inflammation and ulceration in a person's large intestine. Inflammatory bowel disease affects the inner lining of the large intestine and is a lifelong condition. The inflammation can cause redness, swelling and pain, while ulcers can also develop on the surface of the intestines. Other symptoms can include fatigue, diarrhoea and a loss of appetite. The cause of the illness is unknown, and while there is no known cure, it can be treated using medication, dietary changes and surgery. Spending several weeks in hospital felt like a 'blur' for the footy star, who revealed that he felt like he was stuck in a vicious cycle and didn't have 'much hope.' 'I woke up every day in pain, stuck on the couch trying to sleep again,' he explained. The illness sent him into a downward spiral, with Waterman explaining: 'I was down in the dumps, feeling horrible.' 'I just wanted to feel normal again.' Waterman played only 11 games during the 2023 season, a far cry from the 20 he featured in the previous year. But the resilient footballer was not going to let the illness get to him. He made some big changes to his diet and lifestyle, removing processed foods from his diet. He has begun to focus more on his nutrition in a bid to improve his gut health. The 27-year-old admitted that, even though he is an elite athlete, he had not been much of an expert in nutrition prior to being diagnosed. Now, Waterman is staying focused on refuelling with the right foods; a vital step in helping him perform at his best and manage the illness. And it sure has worked. Amid the tribulations of 2023, Waterman bounced back from a horrible period to enjoy an excellent 2024, earning himself his first All-Australian blazer. Waterman is also an ambassador for Chron's and Colitis Australia, and is helping to raise awareness of the illness. 'I feel like I've got an obligation to speak up and shine a light on these conditions,' he said. Agonisingly, Waterman has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season after he dislocated his shoulder during the Eagles' Round 11 defeat by Adelaide. During his time away from the pitch, the 27-year-old has been using his time to speak to others who have the condition. 'I recently went to a Crohn's and colitis day, and I was able to speak to some young kids and parents about their struggles and hardships,' Waterman explained. 'My situation doesn't hold a candle to what they're going through… my heart breaks for them.' After his successful 2024 campaign, Waterman re-signed with the Eagles until 2029. It was a just reward for the work he did to help lift the West Coast, who have been battling their way through a torrid few seasons. And now, after Jack Darling's departure from the Mineral Resources Park, Waterman has stepped up to fill the void, while turning down offers from Geelong and Melbourne to lure the Western Australia-born star to Victoria. 'Now it's finally done, it's reality now, and I'm just happy that I'm locked away here for the next five years,' he said.
