The Lions lodged the COVID permit on Friday, just hours before the transfer deadline.

He did not line-up in Saturday's nail-biting loss to Wagga Tigers and it is still unclear whether he will play any part in the Lions' AFL Riverina Championship campaign.

Garlett was delisted by Melbourne at the end of last season after 185 AFL games and signed with Ovens and Murray League club Albury Tigers for the 2020 season.

The cancellation of the Ovens and Murray League season led to Garlett attracting a lot of interest from AFL Riverina clubs and Friday's decision to allow Albury-based footballers to play paved the way for the Lions to add him to their list.

GGGM president Jason Hamblin insists Garlett is 'coverage' for any injuries.

"Jeffy is coverage. I don't know whether he'll play," Hamblin said.

"For the wellbeing of our players, we still don't think it's right for Albury players to come forward but if that relaxes a little bit more and we're comfortable within our community that these players can come in, yes he will be amazing coverage for the players we've got on hand at the moment.

"Even if he just comes here, when we feel comfortable, and he doesn't play, he'll be a great mentor for the group and the juniors."

GGGM product and Melbourne football operations manager Daniel McPherson was the link to Garlett at the Lions.

Garlett, who turns 31 on Monday, kicked 321 goals from his 183-game AFL career. He was a two-time club leading goalkicker at Carlton in 2013 and Melbourne in 2017.

His inclusion at GGGM is not straight forward given he will be a six-point player under the AFL's Player Points System (PPS).

The Lions have also made it clear that they will not bring in anyone for the unique shortened season with a focus on looking after players who will be at the club long term.

"It's a backstop to any injuries in the latter part of the season," Hamblin said of Garlett.

"At the moment, he's a not a priority player. At the end of the day, when we were picking up these players there was non negotiables and they were that the only players we want to pick up is our old locals and players we've talked to before.

"I want to come out of COVID with still a strong team next year. I don't want to upset all the locals and not let them get a game."

Garlett, if he plays, will become the third ex-AFL listed player on the Lions' list.

Sam Murray played his first game for the club on Saturday, while Canberra-based recruit Sam Martyn spent two years on Adelaide's list.

GGGM's non-playing coach Christin Macri also played five games for Western Bulldogs.

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