Seven to show Ben Cousins documentary before end of AFL season

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Ben Cousins raw

Ben Cousins dancing with a glass of wine in his hand in a scene from his documentary. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Herald Sun

Ben Cousins dancing in his underpants in a scene from his documentary. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Herald Sun

Ben Cousins dancing without his clothes in a scene from his documentary. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Herald Sun

Richmond's Ben Cousins in a scene from his upcoming documentary. Picture: Channel 7  Source: Herald Sun

Ben Cousins recovering from his drug addiction with his father, Bryan. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Herald Sun

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The Herald Sun last night obtained the first images from the documentary - filmed over the past two years as Cousins battled his darkest days of drug addiction.

Such is Life: The Troubled Times of Ben Cousins has been seen by AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and officials at Richmond, where the 2005 Brownlow medallist hopes to extend his career next year.

Raw and chilling footage shows Cousins:

DANCING in his underpants with a glass of red wine and a scantily-clad female in the background.

CRYING while under the influence of an unknown substance.

LEANING on a kitchen table covered in beer bottles after a heavy night.

STARING into a camera and declaring: "My name is Ben Cousins. I'm a drug addict".

The AFL last night confirmed Mr Demetriou had watched a version of the documentary last week.

He declined to comment but is understood to have been shocked by its content.

Channel 7's Melbourne boss Lewis Martin said it had not yet been decided when to screen the show.

"Like any program, it will be subject to censorship requirements," he said.

Mr Martin said it would be broadcast in prime time over one or two nights, possibly before the Grand Final.

Music boss Michael Gudinski, the film's executive producer, said the documentary was confronting and would send a powerful message to young people about drugs.

"When Ben came to me 18 months ago and we talked, I knew he had an important story to tell. The end result is deeply emotional and compelling," Mr Gudinski said.

"It's a cautionary tale - the inside story of a superstar footballer who made some bad choices along the way and ended up in a titanic struggle with drug addiction.

"It's about a father and a son, about a family coming together to see him through the darkest times.

"It's Ben's personal story - about his struggles and recovery. I'm sure it will send a powerful message to young people.

"If it helps save one person's life or helps broaden the community's understanding of addiction, then it all will have been worthwhile."

An AFL spokesman last night said the league hoped the documentary would help others.

"If talking about his own battle with drugs with the support of his family can result in another person in the same situation seeking help or getting the support they need to change, then there is a benefit," he said.