Geelong coach Chris Scott has given a clear indication that his future lies at Kardinia Park - assuming the Cats' interest in their ongoing partnership is mutual.
Scott's name has been raised as a potential target for not only the Gold Coast Suns but rival clubs too, with the two-time premiership mentor seen to be an in-demand name through the next 12 months as his contract is scheduled to expire at the cessation of the 2024 season.
The Suns are set to commence their search for a new coach after parting ways with Stuart Dew this week, with former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick backed as the clear frontrunner for the role at Carrara.
Whether the Suns work through an extensive process or not remains to be seen, but if they choose to cast their net far and wide, Scott's name is likely to be considered.
Talks between Scott and Geelong over a new deal are understood to have gotten underway amid the Suns' decision to sack their third coach since their inception, with the Geelong coach stating he plans to lead the club for as long as he possibly can.
When questioned as to whether he would consider joining a club like the Suns, Scott noted he wouldn't be looking to part with "the best job in footy" at the Cattery.
"I doubt it," the champion ex-Lion said when asked by reporters whether he would have interest in taking on a job elsewhere.
"Smart people would answer that question by saying you never rule anything out, but I don't know how I'm going to feel next year, much less in five years' time.
"I just feel so good at Geelong, and feel so honoured that they still think I'm the right person for the job. There'll come a time when they won't feel that way, but it's very unlikely, or completely implausible, that it will be me that decides that I should move on.
"Who wouldn't want to coach at Geelong? Who wouldn't want to be part of this footy club? When I get asked those questions, that's my go-to answer every time.
"... If Geelong want me to stay a little bit longer I'm doing it. It's the best job in footy."
Dew's sacking came less than a week after the Suns coach gained support from chief executive Mark Evans, who went as far as to say a contract extension could be on the horizon if results were to turn.
A Round 17 loss to Port Adelaide and the return of chairman Bob East from an overseas trip were seemingly enough for Gold Coast to cut ties with Dew midway through his sixth season with the club.
Speaking on Dew's tenure with the league's second-youngest club, the Cats coach said Dew had done a "really good job in a difficult environment", noting the difficulties coaches placed in non-football states face.
"There's no way of saying this without sounding a bit selfish, but all I can think about when I see it is that one day that will be me. It's not an easy time," Scott said.
"We're very privileged to be in this position. You do it knowing someday your time will be up. Rarely is it perfectly amicable.
"I think (Dew) has done a really good job in a difficult environment. I say this a little bit internally, the people that are critical of those that do the job in pioneering football states are only the people that haven't done that themselves. Anyone in Western Sydney, the Gold Coast, the Northern states have challenges the big Melbourne clubs don't have.
"The job he's done should be remembered in that context. It's different, it's harder. If you think about it in that context, I'm sure he's got a long in football."
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was also forced to address questions over Dew's departure and his own future at Alberton, with the Power boss the only coach in the AFL yet to confirm their future beyond this season.
Hinkley and the Power have stated all year that a decision won't be made until at least August, with the Port Adelaide senior coach reiterating that message again on Friday.
"I'm disappointed for Stuey, it's always a tough time and the pressure of this game continues to show itself. At times it's totally unfair," Hinkley said on Friday.
"It's been a really, really smart thing by our club to say 'this is when these things are going to happen'... the question gets answered the same way and it'll continue to get answered the same way.
"As a football club we're focussed on what we're doing, and that's winning football. As individuals, whether that's me or other people, we'll take care of those things when we said we will."
Geelong will look to strengthen their chances of under finals finish under Scott on Saturday night when they host Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, with a win potentially taking them as high as fifth on the ladder.
