All Dustin Martin wanted to talk about was the football and all the journalists wanted to ask him about was his AFL future.
The star Richmond midfielder walked away from a media conference on Tuesday morning with speculation growing about where he will play beyond 2017.
Martin and new Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe are the biggest names eligible for free agency at the end of this season.
The Tigers are understood to have put a lucrative offer to Martin, who would be a restricted free agent if he decides to test the market.
But the quietly-spoken onballer has put off talks until the end of the year and is in no mood to discuss the topic publicly.
"That's just between (his manager Ralph Carr) and the club to sort out but I'm here to talk about the Sherrin today," Martin said at the MCG.
Long-time mentor Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams was beside him and stepped in as soon as the contract questions began.
"No, he's not doing it," Williams said.
"The fact is, he's playing really well ... even though Dustin and I are not at the same club now, we talk, we watch the video, we talk about how it's going.
"He's had great success.
"Third in the Brownlow wasn't bad but we're looking (for) even better, aren't we?"
Asked about his 2017 goals Martin said "just to play consistent, good footy and improve, like every year".
Pressed on whether the contract talks might be a distraction he awkwardly looked over at a Richmond media official, thanked everyone and walked away.
"I'm sure Dustin will make the right decision and he's very much a loyal man," Williams said.
"He loves Richmond, he loves the players there and in time he'll make the right decision."
Williams said the midfielder was a strong Brownlow Medal bet.
"Dustin, for the four years I worked with him, continually wanted to lift the bar," he added.
"He's come seventh, he's come third. I'm not sure but mathematics would say something good, so get on him."
Martin was the main drawcard at the launch for new Sherrin footballs designed to help players of all levels kick better.
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