Former Swan Nick Davis' hopes of being thrown an AFL lifeline by the Brisbane Lions appear to have been dashed.

Davis, delisted by Sydney, wants to resurrect his career with the Lions but is no longer training with them leading into next week's pre-season draft.

The mercurial Sydney premiership player looked a good fit for a club needing a crumbing forward after being invited by Brisbane coach Michael Voss to attend off-season training.

But the Lions didn't take him to their three-day boot camp almost a fortnight ago on Stradbroke Island and he hasn't been involved at training since.

Davis's manager Lance Thompson didn't believe the Lions had made up their minds 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 Brisbane, who weren't completely happy with Davis's fitness state, are looking more at elevating rookie Pierce Hanley or giving delisted tall Joel Tippett a second chance.

Former rugby league forward Thompson, who played out his career with Cronulla after making his name at St George, said his client would be a tremendous fit for a club who has lacked a goal-kicking half-forward to complement Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.

"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 Brisbane's recruitment through the national draft where they picked up gun West Australian Daniel Rich among three midfielders who can also swing into the forward line.

A proven match-winner and star of Sydney's drive to the 2005 flag, the 28-year-old played only three senior games in 2008 due to injury and indifferent early-season form before Swans coach Paul Roos finally lost patience with his questionable work ethic.

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