Cousins’ career, which included the 2005 Brownlow medal and a premiership with the Eagles in 2006, ended controversially, with the star sacked by West Coast in 2007, before returning to finish his career at Richmond.

The six-time All-Australian spent time behind bars after his footballing career came to a sour end.

The following years were full of controversy, before the 45-year-old began taking steps to turn his life around, taking on television roles in Perth across 2023.

But despite the former Eagle-turned-Tiger taking active steps to redeem himself, as well as a long list of on-field accolades, the AFL had already shut down talks of ever adding him to the roll of greats.

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And that conversation came well before the AFL’s stand against gender-based violence during their round eight fixtures.

Before all nine games across the round, clubs stood arm in arm in the centre circle to shine a spotlight on gender-based violence.

The initiative was the brain child of West Coast CEO and former Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke.

In the wake of the gesture, Caroline Wilson slammed the league and explained how its celebration of former players with troubled histories made the minute’s silence feel shallow.

“The AFL’s well-intentioned stand against gender-based violence was always going to hit some hurdles given the game’s dubious past in this tragic social problem,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.

“Too many players very recently have been lauded by the media and the game with poor pasts.

“Notably, Dani Laidley and Ben Cousins.”

Wilson’s comments came after the AFL failed to remember that the weekend they took a stand against gender-based violence, Wayne Carey, who has previously been accused of domestic violence, was being recognised by the sport.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon made a call to Carey on the eve of round eight, informing the North Melbourne champion that he personally decided to prevent the elevation to Legend status at a Sydney event on the Friday night.

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The CEO expressed concerns about the move considering the previous allegations against Carey.

“How is it that the AFL did not know that Wayne Carey was going to be made a legend in the NSW Hall of Fame?” Wilson asked.

“That was miscommunication of the highest order.”

The league did step in to block Carey from receiving the honour.