FORMER Sydney Swan Nick Davis' hopes of being thrown a lifeline by the Brisbane Lions appear to have been dashed.
Davis, cut by the Swans at season's end, wants to resurrect his career with the Lions but will not join them on the track in the lead-up to next week's NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.
The 28-year-old started training with the club on November 17 after an invitation from senior coach Michael Voss, who suggested he needed an experienced crumbing forward to complement tall targets Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.
But the Lions didn't take him to their three-day boot camp on Queensland's Stradbroke Island almost a fortnight ago and he hasn't been at training since.
However, Davis' manager Lance Thompson was confident the Lions hadn't made up their minds on the premiership player and said Davis still held hope of being drafted on December 16.
"They've got one spot left and I'm hoping it's for Nick," Thompson said.
But it's understood the Lions are considering elevating Irish rookie Pearce Hanley or giving delisted big man Joel Tippett a second chance.
Thompson said Davis would be a tremendous fit for a young side looking to rebound from its 10th-place finish this year.
"A lot of players don't realise what a change of club and a change of scenery can do for them and refresh their mind and body and careers," he said.
Davis may have also suffered from the Lions' recruitment through last month's NAB AFL Draft where they picked up gun West Australian Daniel Rich among three midfielders who can also be used in attack.
A proven match-winner and star of the Swans' drive to the 2005 flag, Davis was restricted to three senior games in 2008 because of injury and indifferent early-season form before coach Paul Roos finally lost patience with his questionable work ethic.
