Now they're both free to fully focus on contests instead of contracts, you could excuse AFL stars Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly for sharing a brief moment of levity ahead of the opening bounce at the MCG on Saturday.
Martin and Kelly are well aware of how seriously their sport can take itself. Coverage of their conundrums this year has been as thorough and intense as that afforded to the sort of crises occupying the front pages of newspapers.
The in-demand midfielders, who will take centre stage in this weekend's preliminary final between Richmond and Greater Western Sydney, have already shared a laugh about it.
"We had a bit of a funny chat at the All-Australian dinner a few weeks ago, when it was all going on," GWS on-baller Kelly told reporters on Monday, when he penned a two-year contract extension.
"We were just discussing the challenges of the year I guess and all the media circus.
"It's probably something I've never really faced before ... but being up here, away from the fishbowl in Melbourne (helped)."
Both champions have kept a low profile in 2017, instead letting their football do the talking.
There have been some pretty impressive statements from both Martin and Kelly.
Brownlow medal favourite Martin has pushed off opponents with ease while propelling the Tigers to their first preliminary final since 2001.
Kelly, who looms as a future Brownlow medal winner if his career continues to develop at the rate it has, has been just as influential in the Giants' return to the penultimate game of the season.
"There was no pressure from the club," Kelly said of his dilemma.
"There were a few passing jokes from teammates pretty regularly but I never felt overwhelmed about it."
Monday's announcement means both men opted to value club loyalty above cashed-up offers.
GWS football manager Wayne Campbell hoped Kelly's decision "might just be a small weight off his shoulders and he plays even a little bit better" on Saturday.
"But he's done it pretty well as the year has gone on," Campbell added.
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