basis we wish him well."
"We have acted on the best medical advice and if he can play the rest of his career without any relapse that would be a great result."
And while the AFL Players' Association welcomed the AFL's decision, it questioned why Cousins should be subject to extra drug testing, beyond the current drug code, compared to other players.
"The AFL Players' Association does hold serious concerns that the AFL
commission resolution is inconsistent with the terms of the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy," the AFLPA said in a statement following the Cousins decision.
The AFLPA said in its submission in support of Cousins that the current illicit drugs policy, which applies to all players, was sufficient to deal with Cousins' return, even though this policy failed to pick up his initial drug addiction.
While St Kilda and Brisbane are believed to be the only clubs keen on securing Cousins, that may change now that the champion midfielder has been formally cleared to play again.
And Demetriou said the list of conditions attached to Cousins' return would also help clubs decide whether or not to draft the former Eagles star.
"Clubs go in with their eyes wide open," he said.
"Hopefully today gives them more comfort with the conditions (attached to Cousins' return) to go ahead and make a decision."
The Saints, who are hot favourites to secure one of the best players of the past decade, immediately released a statement following the Cousins decision but refused to confirm or deny whether they would select him in the upcoming drafts.
"The St Kilda Football Club is pleased to hear that Ben Cousins has been given the all-clear to resume his career following today's AFL commission meeting," the club said in its statement.
"The club will continue to follow its process of due diligence on the matter and will not be making any further comment at this time."
Cousins' former club, which has already ruled out re-drafting him despite many pleas to do so from its fans, also hailed the AFL's decision.
"This is an important decision for Ben and we will continue to support Ben's return to the AFL," Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said.
"Ben will always be a great champion of our club and the West Coast Eagles wish him well with his future endeavours."
Cousins was initially suspended despite having never tested positive to drugs - in contrast to the six unnamed players within AFL ranks who have two strikes