BEN AT BROWNLOW

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan has confirmed West Coast champion Ben Cousins will attend Sunday’s Brownlow Medal in Perth.

Cousins has been dealing with his addiction issues in recent years and has not attended the Brownlow Medal in Melbourne, despite being invited as a previous winner.

McLachlan will read the votes from Perth at a 1000-seat event as the Brownlow is hosted from Melbourne in a twin state-hybrid model.

He said he understood Cousins – who had battled drug issues, but was attempting to rebuilding his life as he works in scaffolding and plays amateur football – would be at the event. “I saw a list yesterday, and he was going,” McLachlan said.

“He has been invited every year, and for various reasons it’s not been something he has been able to do, but I gather he’s in pretty good health and he’s coming.

“He has accepted, I understand.”