Two weeks after saying he would "have him tomorrow" if Cousins could guarantee he was drug-free, Williams said the former West Coast star needed a year off to put his erratic life back in order.
"Right now I am thinking he needs a year away from the game," Williams said yesterday. "He needs a year off to look after himself and a year for everyone to give him best wishes and any assistance he can get. After that we'll assess him again."
Williams said he didn't think it was "all over" for the 2005 Brownlow medallist and six-time All-Australian, saying all clubs would "love to think that Ben could play again".