18/10/2007 12:13 PM
Ben Cousins' court appearance lasted just one minute on Thursday before a 90-day adjournment was granted to allow the disgraced former West Coast Eagle to travel to the United States for further treatment in a drug rehabilitation clinic.
Cousins appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court on a charge of drug possession and refusing a blood test after he was pulled over by police on Tuesday morning in Perth for driving erratically.
The 29-year-old's lawyers applied for the adjournment to allow him to resume his treatment in California.
The 2005 Brownlow Medalist had planned to be in the U.S. two weeks ago but this was put on hold by the death of close friend and former Eagles star Chris Mainwaring.
Cousins arrived at the court looking relaxed and smiling and dressed in designer jeans with a white shirt unbuttoned almost to the waist.
His appearance gave no indication that he was at all concerned about his sacking by the West Coast Eagles for his latest misdemeanours, which has effectively ended his AFL career.
Cousins was not required to enter a plea but outside the court his lawyer Shane Brennan said the charges against his client would be vigorously defended.
"The matter has been remanded for 90 days with a view to Mr. Cousins continuing the course of action he adopted early in the winter," Brennan said.
"These charges will be vigorously defended. They are without basis."
Cousins spent a month in a Malibu clinic in April while suspended by the club after admitting to 'substance abuse'. He returned to the club and resumed playing in July.
Cousins will return to court on January 21 next year.