Former AFL star Ben Cousins has been arrested after leading police on a car chase in Perth's southern suburbs last night.

Police allege the former midfielder was driving erratically in the southern Perth suburb of Bicton about 10:30pm when he failed to stop for officers.

The 36-year-old was arrested after a short chase that ended at the intersection of Gill and Solomon streets in the nearby suburb of Mosman Park.

He was charged with reckless driving, failing to provide a breath test and failing to stop.

He was granted bail to appear in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on April 8.

Cousins has had a well-documented battle with recreational drugs in recent years.

During his 11 years with West Coast, he won several of the league's highest individual awards, including a Brownlow Medal.

Towards the end of his career he was fined or sanctioned by the West Coast Eagles, culminating in his contract's termination in October 2007.

A month later he was banned from the AFL for one year by the AFL commission for bringing the game into disrepute.

Cousins was cleared to return to football in 2009 and was drafted by Richmond Football Club, before ending his career with the club at the end of the 2010 season.