Ben Cousins was born in 1978 in Geelong, Victoria. He played for West Coast Eagles from 1995-2007, winning several awards including the Brownlow Medal in 2005. His career was marred by ongoing drug and legal issues beginning in the early 2000s. After being sacked by West Coast, he played for Richmond in 2008-10, winning the Brownlow Medal again in 2010 as Richmond's captain. However, his battles with substance abuse continued throughout and after his playing career.

1. Ben Cousins This Is Your Life … So Far! Use spacebar to advance thru

2. 30 June 1978 Benjamin Luke Cousins is born in Geelong, Victoria. 1994 Schoolboy, Ben Cousins has a training run with Geelong. Geelong wanted him under the father son rule. But when the time came, the WCE made him a better offer. July 1995 West Coast edges out Geelong and Fremantle to sign Cousins under the father-son rule The Early Years

3. 1996 In his first season with West Coast, he wins the Rising Star Award 1998 Named All Australian; runner-up in West Coast best and fairest 1999 Plays his first final; named All Australian; selected to play for Australia in the international rules series. 2000 Signs a new three-year contract worth an estimated $1mil over three years.

4. 2001 Named co-captain with Dean Kemp. Wins West Coast best and fairest 2001 Eagles coach Ken Judge was warned by Liam Fitzpatrick, a Perth detective, that Cousins was using illegal drugs. WCE administration took no action. 2001 Cousins and Michael Gardiner photographed entering Crown Casino with John Kizon, alleged hit man. 2002 Named sole West Coast captain; wins West Coast best and fairest March 2002 Cousins was spotted socialising with organised crime figures in Melbourne. On to the Years 2001 and 2002

5. September 2002 Cousins suffers a broken arm after altercations at a Perth nightclub with teammate Daniel Kerr. Kerr punched Cousins and pushed him down a flight of stairs. The altercation was over Kerr’s relationship with Cousin’s sister, Melanie.

6. 2003 Wins West Coast best and fairest April 2005 Cousins questioned by police over a nightclub brawl involving John Kizon, an associate of slain standover man Alphonse Gangitano. And now the Years 2003 and 2005

7. May 2005 Cousins and teammate Michael Gardiner refused to tell police what they knew about a shooting at a Perth nightclub involving Coffin Cheater Troy Mercanti, a prominent member of WA's notorious outlaw motorcycle gang.

8. May 2005 Cousins and then teammate Michael Gardiner face scrutiny for their links to underworld figures, John Kizon and Troy Mercanti who were allegedly involved in a shooting. 2005 Plays 200th game (youngest Eagle to reach that mark); wins the Brownlow Medal (after five previous top 10 finishes); runner-up, player's association Most Valuable Player Award; runner-up coaches player of the year award; West Coast are runners-up.

9. 12 February 2006 Cousins runs from his Mercedes four-wheel-drive and his girlfriend (and crosses a river) to avoid a booze bus, and following police. Cousins pleads guilty and is fined $900. The Year 2006 was big for you Ben.

10. 2006 Premiership winner with West Coast December 2006 Cousins is arrested after being in a distressed and disturbed state at Crown Casino in Melbourne.

11. 2 March 2007 Cousins goes on 3 week drug-fuelled bender after his split from long time girlfriend Sam Druce. But the Year 2007 was when you really peaked Ben.

12. Early March 2007 Ben COUSINS' ex girlfriend went to West Coast player Andrew EMBLEY's joint trying to find where COUSINS was living. EMBLEY who is one of COUSINS' best mates claimed he didn't know. EMBLEY's girlfriend was there and told COUSINS' girlfriend that EMBLEY knew and was lying. EMBLEY wimped it and said that COUSINS was living with Daniel CHICK. EMBLEY agreed to drive both girls to CHICK's address. When they get there they find CHICK and COUSINS in the raw with about 6 other girls and a table full of cocaine. CHICK cracked it with EMBLEY for bringing the girls around when he was supposed to keep the address a secret so he starts punching into EMBLEY. EMBLEY's missus starts punching into CHICK. COUSINS' girlfriend grabs the cocaine and throws about $20,000.00 worth out the window. She then starts punching into the tarts walking around with nothing on. COUSINS is lying on the floor stoned off his head. COUSINS' girlfriend rings the club and the rest is history

13. 19 March 2007 Cousins has AFL drug test. 20 March 2007 Cousins is suspended indefinitely by the West Coast Eagles for being absent from training sessions. 20 March 2007 Cousins father takes him into Perth Rehab for the day. 21 March 2007 Cousins father takes him into Perth Rehab again for the day. 22 March 2007 Bryan Cousins states that his son Ben has a substance abuse problem. April/May 2007 Cousins undergoes rehabilitation in Malibu, California and Perth. 21 July, 2007 Cousins plays again. Has 38 disposals, wins man of the match and a $5000 plasma TV.

14. July 2007 Cousins lifts his shirt to display his tattoo proclaiming “Such Is Life”. His tattooist is known as Mr E.

15. September 2007 Chris Mainwaring dies. Cousins was one of the last to see Mainwaring alive. Mainwaring died after taking cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, anti-depressants, Roaccutane and alcohol.

16. 16 October 2007 Cousins and team mate Daniel Chick are charged with possession of a prohibited drug, and refusing a police ordered drug assessment.

17. 17 October 2007 Ben Cousins has his playing contract terminated by the West Coast Eagles. October 2007 Cousins stayed at Fabian Quaid's (who was arrested in October 2008 over a record drug importation in Western Australia) Sydney home before and after traveling to Los Angeles for rehab.

18. 27 October 2007 Cousins in Los Angeles to attend rehab at the Summit Center clinic. He failed to arrive at the rehab facility. Cousins is involved in a cocaine binge and is admitted to hospital. 19 November 2007 The AFL commission bans Cousins from playing for 12 months, stating that he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and likely to prejudice the interest of the AFL and of bringing the game into disrepute.

19. August 2008 Collingwood send a private investigator to Perth to follow Cousins for several days. The investigator surveyed his behavior and social circle. And now we come to 2008

20. November 2008 Cousins would not be drafted by Collingwood following meetings with Victorian chief commissioner of police Christine Nixon. November 2008 Cousins avoided a hair drug test by attending the test with no body hair long enough to take a sample. 18 November 2008 Cousins was given approval to continue his football career by the AFL, possibly with St Kilda or Brisbane. 21 November 2008 Cousins in Melbourne and thought to be talking to St Kilda. He was in Melbourne to attend the funeral of convicted drug trafficker John Anthony Giannarelli. 22 November 2008 St Kilda decided not to draft Cousins. 29 November 2008 Brisbane decided not to draft Cousins. 29 November 2008 All clubs ignore Cousins in draft.

21. 16 December 2008 Cousins signed to Tigers on basic wage and match payments.

22. 17 December 2008 Cousins linked to accused gangland killer Angelo “Fat Ange” Mario Venditti. Sen-Det Tim Bell told a court that monitoring and surveillance which began in May this year uncovered Mr Venditti's extensive ties to Cousins, underworld figure Mick Gatto, Perth criminal identity John Kizon and accused drug importer Fabian Quaid (a friend of Cousins). “Fat Ange” is charged with the 2002 underworld murder of drug dealer Paul “PK” Kallipolitis.

23. 18 December 2008 More than 2000 new Tigers members within 24 hours of Cousins joining.

24. 26 March 2009 (about 10.00PM) Tigers thrash the Blues in the opening game. Cousins gets 39 possessions, kicks 8 goals and is given man of the match. April-May-June 2009 Tigers lose 3 in a row. Wallace is sacked. Sheeds takes over. Tigers make finals. Let’s move on into 2009 Ben

25. 2010 At age 32, Cousins becomes Tigers captain. September 2010. Cousins wins Brownlow. September 2010 Tigers premiers. Sheeds and Cousins are the new Sheeds & Hird. And to finish, we’ll go to 2010

26. Headlines you may have missed Draft pick 70 is usually not news worthy. Make a Perth Underbelly series and Ben can play himself Tigers went for a quick fix Tigers now have Brownlow medalist. Hungry Jacks is doing a Ben Cousins meal deal...no burger, no fries, just heaps of ice and coke Tigers will be playing with 21 if Cousins can’t step over the white line.

29. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =EcWvfZHAuI4