Ben Cousins has ruled out playing football in 2008 but still has his heart set on a return to the ranks of the AFL next year.

The 2005 Brownlow Medallist, currently in Melbourne for a series of meetings over a documentary he's producing about his battle with drug addiction, has ruled out training with VFL club Port Melbourne.

In a statement released by his management company Flying Start, Cousins confirmed he'll soon return to Perth to train with some WAFL clubs.

"While Cousins will not be playing in 2008 he will return to Perth shortly and commence training with WAFL clubs East Fremantle and Perth as he keeps his options open in the hope of a return to the AFL in 2009," the statement read.

Cousins, a West Coast premiership player in 2006, was banned from playing this year by the AFL - for bringing the game into disrepute.