Lions still keen on Cousins, says Voss

BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss says the club is still interested in Ben Cousins as he awaits an announcement on the former Eagle’s future.

Speaking to radio station SEN, Voss denied reports the Lions had cooled on the prospect of recruiting the Brownlow Medallist and said he identified the need for an experienced player when analysing Brisbane’s list.

Voss also mentioned former Swan Nick Davis who is training with the Lions.

“That’s the point in time where Ben Cousins’ name got raised. We have to look at if it is in our way of development. If it is then we have to consider the fact that he is 30 years of age,” Voss said.

“Does it fit within our development model? We ticked that off and whether it is Ben Cousins or Nick Davis I think we need a more mature player on our list or someone that has AFL experience.”

The Lions and St Kilda are the two clubs in the race for Cousins’ services but have to wait to hear the AFL Commission’s findings which will be announced later today (Tuesday).

Voss revealed he had not personally spoken to Cousins about the possibility of him joining the Lions, but that people from the club had been in touch with him.

“I haven’t (spoken to him). I left a couple of messages and from a club’s perspective we’ve been in touch with him just to find out where he’s up to. I haven’t individually spoken to him,” he said.

“I’ve left it for others to organise that sort of stuff. We’ve got to get on with the business of making sure the players we’ve got here have our total focus.

“At this stage that is where our focus lies and when the opportunity comes where we can sit down in front of Ben we’ll take that opportunity if we get it.”

Voss said he had no qualms about Cousins’ long absence from the AFL, despite only playing seven games in the past two years.

“I think that Ben Cousins, the way he trains and prepares himself, the game suits him more than it has before. Whether he’s 30 years of age or not, I think his body has freshened up and is ready to go again. I don’t see that as a hindrance whatsoever.”

On Tuesday afternoon, the club issued a statement saying it would make no further comment on Cousins, or any other player who is eligible to nominate for the national or pre-season drafts.