The former Geelong powerhouse is pushing for selection for Sunday's clash with Hawthorn after a first season at the Lions blighted by injury.

Cockatoo hasn't played AFL football since April, 2018 but has proven his fitness with a string of matches in the VFL in recent weeks and is pushing to make his first appearance for the Lions.

It's an addition that has Zorko buzzing with just four matches remaining in the home-and-away campaign.

"He's really knuckled down the last eight weeks and he's probably in the best shape that I've seen at the club," Zorko said.

"I was unfortunate enough to play against him in Geelong where he put in a couple of great performances against us.

"We know what his best football can bring.

"If he can get close to that, whether it's this week he comes in or next week, who knows?

"Certainly he's chomping at the bit and when he comes in I know he'll make an impact."

Cockatoo was an unused medical sub in the Lions' win over Gold Coast last weekend when a second-half blitz secured a 49-point win over the Suns.

Zorko says after back-to-back defeats to St Kilda and Richmond and then finding themselves trailing the Suns by 27-points at halftime, it was a welcome return to form in the second half as the Lions aim to push for a top-four finish.

"You don't doubt yourself but you do wonder when it's going to come back," Zorko said.

"The Suns in the first half on the weekend were exceptional, their execution inside forward 50 was amazing but at halftime to regroup the way we did, regather our thoughts and come out in the second half and play the brand of football that we know we can, it was really pleasing.

"I'd like to think the boys took a lot of confidence out of that."

Australian Associated Press