However Cousins, who has nominated for this weekend’s NAB AFL Draft, appears unlikely to be selected on Saturday after the Lions confirmed they would not pick up the former Eagle in the national draft.
That leaves the door ajar for the Lions to pounce on Cousins in the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.
In a statement released late on Wednesday afternoon, the Lions said:
"The club will not be selecting Ben Cousins at the upcoming AFL national draft this Saturday.
"However, should the Lions retain a vacancy on their playing list for the pre-season draft and should Ben Cousins be available for the pre-season draft, then the club will continue its process of due diligence in assessing this player after the weekend.
"The Lions' key focus this week is Saturday's national draft."
Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss has stated he is interested in luring Cousins to the Gabba, however the club’s board has appeared less enthusiastic about the prospect.
Throughout Cousins’ battle to resume his league career, Brisbane and St Kilda have appeared the only clubs willing to take on the confessed drug addict.
However with the Saints publicly pulling out of the race on Tuesday following a board meeting, the Lions appear to be the only club in the hunt to snare the 2005 Brownlow Medallist.
Cousins remains in Saturday’s NAB AFL Draft however, and any club is eligible to select the 30-year-old with any pick.
If he is not selected, the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft – on December 16 – is his only hope of re-igniting his stalled career.
