Cousins suffers injury setback
06/07/2007 6:03 PM
Ben Cousins has received the all-clear from the AFL's medicos to resume playing football, but his return hit an unexpected snag after the former West Coast Eagles skipper strained his hamstring at training on Friday morning.
After being suspended indefinitely by the Eagles in March for his highly-publicised flirtation with illicit drugs, Cousins was expected to be named in the West Coast line-up for his first match this season after meeting the AFL's medical officers on Friday.
But having started the morning session, Cousins lasted just 15 minutes before pulling up short and limping off the ground with a minor hamstring strain.
Later in the day, the AFL formally announced that its medical commissioners Peter Harcourt and Harry Unglik had cleared Cousins to resume his playing career.
"The AFL medical commissioners directly consulted with Cousins, as well as having numerous and regular discussions with his club doctor, independent assessment by a drug and alcohol physician, consultation with his treatment health practitioners and continued regular drug testing for illicit substances," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.
"It was the view of the AFL medical officers that while this is an important milestone for Ben Cousins, it is not the end of his rehabilitation," he said.
Cousins will miss this week's clash with the Brisbane Lions at Subiaco and is expected to also miss the club's round 15 clash with Port Adelaide.