Bryan Cousins Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, AFL Community Rallies
The Australian Football League (AFL) community is extending its heartfelt support to the Cousins family following the recent revelation that Bryan Cousins, father of former West Coast star Ben Cousins, is living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The 72-year-old, a respected figure in both VFL/AFL and WAFL circles, shared his diagnosis at an MND fundraiser held at the Swans Districts Football Club.
Bryan Cousins, who boasts an impressive playing career with 67 games for Geelong and a further 240 games for Perth in the WAFL, disclosed that he received the diagnosis approximately 12 months ago. He recounted the initial signs, explaining, “I was running along the beach and starting to struggle. A bloke stopped me and asked if I was okay. I went to a neurologist and started looking at what I might have, and I got the one thing I didn’t want, which was MND.”
Motor Neurone Disease is a devastating and progressive neurological condition that targets the motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord. This destruction impacts a person’s voluntary muscles, progressively eroding their ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. Crucially, MND is currently incurable.
The news comes amidst a period where the disease has tragically claimed the lives of several prominent figures. Melbourne football legend Neale Daniher passed away from MND last week, while Hawthorn champion Geoff Ablett succumbed to the illness earlier this month. Even more recently, South Sydney NRL player Jai Arrow was diagnosed with the condition at the young age of 30.
Despite the grim prognosis, Bryan Cousins expressed a sense of resilience and hope. “I’m getting along, I’m still independent, but I’m looking at everything that Neale said – every six months is worse than the previous, and you notice the little things in life,” he shared. However, he added, “But, because of all the amazing things that people are doing, I do believe we will find a cure.” He also paid tribute to the public’s support throughout his life, stating, “The support I’ve had, quite frankly, in my life from the public over a number of issues is basically what keeps you going. And I don’t fear what lies ahead because I’ll just face it as best I can.”
AFL World Unites Behind the Cousins Family
The outpouring of support for Bryan Cousins and his family has been significant. His son, Ben Cousins, a premiership player with West Coast and a Brownlow Medallist, spoke to 7News about his father’s strength. “Continue to be really proud of Dad, particularly in the face of adversity,” Ben said. “Dad today referred to Neale Daniher as the commanding officer of the MND army, and I know he has given Dad a lot of inspiration.”
Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of solidarity and admiration for Bryan. One commenter wrote, “Such bloody sad news. Impressions of him are that he is a very positive-minded man, and I’m sure will show tremendous positive strength for the rest of his life.”
Another shared their sorrow and commended his bravery: “Very sad, and brave to go public.” A third individual offered a personal endorsement, highlighting Bryan’s character: “Bryan Cousins is one of the warmest, kindest human beings I’ve had the pleasure to meet. Bloody sad news to hear of his MND diagnosis. Have no doubt he will have the same positivity towards his fight as he has had the rest of his life.”
The collective response underscores the deep respect and affection the AFL community holds for the Cousins family, demonstrating a powerful united front in the face of this challenging diagnosis. The focus now shifts to raising awareness and funds for MND research, with Bryan Cousins’ personal story serving as a poignant catalyst for continued efforts to find a cure. The family’s courage in sharing their experience is inspiring many, offering a beacon of hope amidst the difficult reality of MND.
