Ben and Melanie Cousins attend the 2023 Brownlow Medal at Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne.
The 2005 winner’s attendance marked the first time he’d been in Melbourne for a Brownlow Medal count since the year he won it.
“I’m somebody that hasn’t been given a second chance,” Cousins told The Australian on Monday.
“I’ve been given a third, fourth and fifth for whatever reason. But that’s what it’s taken.
“I know I’m starting from a long way back but I needed to feel like I was making a contribution.”