Melbourne have confirmed they will take a youngster in the AFL pre-season draft, closing another door on Ben Cousins' attempted comeback.

Immediately after Saturday's national draft, the 2005 Brownlow Medallist's manager Ricky Nixon briefly spoke to Demons chief executive Cameron Schwab.

But two days later, coach Dean Bailey made it clear the football department's focus remained youth.

He said on Monday that the club would invite a handful of young players to training this week ahead of the December 16 pre-season draft, where Melbourne will have a selection.

"We'll still draft a young kid," Bailey said.

"We've been pretty firm in our commitment to go and draft young players.

"Most people will understand why we're doing it, (to) build a list of young players who are going to come through together."

Cousins' hopes of a comeback were dented last week when St Kilda and Brisbane announced they would not recruit the former West Coast captain.

Late last year, the AFL deregistered the confessed drug addict for bringing the game into disrepute.

He sat out the 2008 season and the league then gave him permission to play again, but under strict conditions.

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