FALLEN AFL star Ben Cousins could be free to relaunch his playing career through the Victorian Football League, after league boss Andrew Demetriou confirmed the AFL would not prevent Cousins playing state league football.
Cousins, currently serving a 12-month AFL ban, met recently with Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, fuelling speculation he was on the verge of a comeback.
On Sunday, Demetriou said any such decision would be in the hands of the local league.
"If AFL Victoria, through their rules and their constitution, deem it to be appropriate [Cousins can play]," he said.
"We've made it clear that the decision for any league is purely on their league and their constitution, and what rules they have to admit players playing in their competition.
"The AFL Commission set down a process at the end of last year where he was suspended for 12 months. [The commission will] review his progress at the end of the 12 months, to see whether he's ready to play AFL football again both medically and from his own perspective.
"We'll review that at the appropriate time this year. We're getting the reports about how he's travelling, and if he's seeking to resurrect his career, that's all part of it for him.
"If he plays football this year ... at some level whether it's state-based or local ... it will give him much more chance of getting back if he's playing football than not.”
Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley said he would support Cousins’ return through the VFL, and "wouldn't discount his ability to get back" to AFL standards given the fitness the talented midfielder possesses.
"It's up to Ben and it's up to the club," Buckley said.
"If they can come to an arrangement that suits both parties and the AFL is satisfied with it and it's good for rehabilitation, then I can't see any harm in it.
"The game caters for all people, and there's no perfect human being out there. Everyone makes mistakes and all you want to see is to be contrite and take ownership for your actions. If we see that and Ben has the opportunity to come back and play footy, I think it's a good thing."
