The closest Ben Cousins came to the 2008 AFL national draft was his photo on a large banner hanging from the wall, recalling past glories.

Tom Hislop would want to make the most of this AFL second chance. The 20-year-old former Essendon midfielder was the first delisted player named on Saturday in the national draft.

Publicly at least, no AFL club wants Ben Cousins. On the eve of the national draft, the Brisbane Lions issued a short media release to say they had decided against recruiting the 2005 Brownlow Medallist and self-confessed drug addict.

When Australia lost the Ashes in 2005, I remember trying to picture the team four years down the track. At the time I thought Simon Katich had no chance and I suspected Michael Clarke might not be there because he lacked discipline and concentration when bowlers pitched wide of off stump.

Ben Cousins’ hopes of an AFL comeback have received a major setback, with St Kilda becoming the latest club to decide against recruiting the fallen star.

In the history of Australian sports, there have been many memorable moments that have been passed on from generation to generation. But what are the ten greatest moments in Australian sports, the ones that had people saying, “I was there”?

Les Murray wrote: “Where in the world could we find an entire second division to the A-League when it is a struggle to identify one or two with the guaranteed security and viability to join it?”

Swans AFL recruit Rhyce Shaw is relishing his anonymity in Sydney after feeling the heat of the spotlight while playing for Collingwood.

It’s 4.30pm in Colombo, Sri Lanka on July 24 2008. India are taking on Sri Lanka in the first of three Tests. Cricket history has just been made.

Former St Kilda great Robert Harvey is confident Carlton can fill the void - both in the pang of not playing and experiencing the ultimate AFL success. Although St Kilda have dominated Carlton since 2002, Harvey has liked what he’s seen of the Blues.

Irish international rules boss Nickey Brennan has hit out against the series’ detractors, saying the two teams deserved great credit for what they had produced.

The AFL is set to make major changes to the start and finish of the NAB Cup, their official pre-season competition.

West Coast coach John Worsfold says the Eagles are yet to decide who to select with their prized first-round pick in November’s national AFL draft.

How the 16 clubs fared in the 2009 AFL draw released today.

AFL heavyweights Collingwood and Carlton are big winners in the 2009 draw featuring three timeslots to be trialled with one eye on the league’s future expansion plans.

Australia Coach Mick Malthouse says Ireland’s band of amateurs are just as professional and better prepared than his professional AFL stars for the international rules series.

Dramatic audio of an emergency call, aired on Melbourne television tonight, allegedly captures the moment when Ben Cousins sought help after a five-day cocaine binge.

St Kilda are set to take a punt on Ben Cousins, offering the recovering drug addict a football life-line and accompanying off-field support if he is cleared to play again by the AFL.
Read the AFL discussion paper, sent out to all clubs

The AFL coaching merry-go-round has continued with John Barker quitting his role at St Kilda to link up with premiers Hawthorn and Barry Mitchell leaving his post as coach of the Hawks’ VFL side Boxhill to join Fremantle.

Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley says Ben Cousins poses too great a risk to be worth drafting because of his age and personal history.