ST KILDA could be in the box seat to nab former West Coast captain Ben Cousins after Collingwood withdrew from the race to lure his services.

While the fallen midfielder still faces a hurdle to resume his career at the top level – with the League yet to give him the green light following his battle with drug addiction – the Magpies won’t be seeking to add him to their list for the 2009 season.

The Age newspaper reports on Friday that Collingwood, despite having met Cousins earlier this year and closely monitoring his progress since he resumed training, will not pursue the 30-year-old.

The Magpies are believed to have decided Cousins’ age could be too big of a risk, while a year out of the game might leave him more susceptible to injury.

Other factors believed to have weighed into Collingwood’s decision are his well-documented rehabilitation, as well as the possible impact on sponsorship that recruiting him might have.

Cousins’ manager Ricky Nixon confirmed the Magpies had withdrawn their interest but didn’t seem too concerned by it.

"To be honest, we're more worried about him being eligible than before anything else," Nixon said.

"Collingwood were up front with us and told us and gave us their reasons. I accept that.

"They've had their problems this year with behavioural situations and I don't think it would have been in anyone's best interests if there had been a problem next year with Ben, combined with what problems they've had in the last three years."

Nixon said the Magpies’ lack of interest wasn’t a major hurdle in Cousins’ bid to return to the AFL.

"In the last few weeks, they (Collingwood) certainly weren't our preferred position and I accept their decision and so does Ben, but, you know, we're not here to worry about whether Collingwood's in or out," Nixon said.

"This isn't an auction. Ben's never said he wanted to go to Collingwood … I don't sit here and worry about it. I worry about the teams that are being proactive."

The Sydney Swans were also rumoured to be interested in Cousins but chief executive Myles Baron-Hay ruled out the possibility of his club drafting the 2005 Brownlow Medallist.

"If there is a race on (for Cousins') services, we are not in it," he said.

St Kilda appears to be one of few clubs to have shown genuine interest in Cousins.

However, before any club can act in the draft, the AFL must clear him to return to the field.