Recovering drug addict Ben Cousins may play in the Victorian Football League this year, aiming to return to AFL ranks in 2009.

The former West Coast Eagles captain and Brownlow medallist is expected to be registered to play in the VFL before next Monday's deadline, News Limited has reported.

It's possible he may sign for the WAFL, but the Herald Sun said it was more likely he would pull on the boots for one of 10 VFL sides.

Under AFL rules, he is unable to play for the Geelong and Collingwood teams because these are effectively seconds teams for the AFL powerhouses.

But that leaves 10 VFL clubs in the running, including Tasmania.

Flying Sport Management representative Carlie Merenda flew to Perth for talks with the fallen AFL great, Flying Start boss Ricky Nixon said.

"Carlie will be in Perth over the next four or five days doing a number of things for Ben, a part of which is informing him of the processes that need to be put in place by Monday, if he wants to play footy," Nixon said.

"That's something Ben will have to make a decision on over the weekend, which includes which state, which club, etc etc"

But it was "more than likely" Cousins would play in the VFL, Nixon said.

Cousins was deregistered by the AFL for 12 months, preventing him from playing in the competition, following revelations about his drug addiction.

But the deregistration does not prevent him from playing in a state league.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and AFL Victoria chief executive Peter Schwab both welcomed Cousins' return to the field.

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