Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has stoked the flames of conspiracy, taking aim at Melbourne-based journalists for their constant commentary on the impending free agency decisions ahead of dual premiership winners Lachie Neale and Zac Bailey.
Fagan appeared unusually testy when fulfilling his media commitments on Thursday, going as far as to suggest that All-Australian selectors do not give his charges their rightful accolades.
But his biggest gripe was the incessant chatter around potential moves for his match-winners, despite his own quiet confidence, Bailey in particular, will commit his future to the joint venture.
"I feel optimistic about Zac, to be honest. I don't know why I do, but I do. I know he loves being here," Fagan said.
"To be honest, I'm sort of sick of commentating about it, between him and Lachie. I only care about them in the here and now, both from a performance perspective and how they're going as people. That's where I tend to focus my energy, and I'm hopeful that both those boys will stay.
"It's hard to give a running commentary. There's always lots of people who think they know what's going on, that commentate on it in Melbourne. There's all these experts that allegedly know, and that's why you guys (media) ask questions. I don't know where they get their information from. They seem to know more than what I do.
"They're playing great footy, and you can't question that at all. There's two things I care about, and that's that (their football), and their wellbeing as people. I'll stay in my lane with that," he finished, emphatically.
The Lions are flying in recent weeks, knocking over, in ominous fashion, contenders Sydney and Geelong in back to back weeks.
With genuine jets Hugh McCluggage and Dayne Zorko eyeing returns against the Bombers this weekend, Fagan admits he's reticent to change a winning side, but cannot justify not including the premiership-winning All-Australians.
"It's hard to change a winning side, but when you've got two blokes that are All-Australians available, you've got to get them back into the team. Darcy Gardiner will go out with an injury, and we've got to work out who the other unlucky person is," he said.
"(I'll be asking) McCluggage to have a narrow focus. For him to focus on those things that he does when he plays his best footy. He knows what they are. He's really enthusiastic, his body is feeling better now than it has all year, and I'm hopeful that we can see the best of "Hughie" McCluggage for the rest of the season."
Enigmatic operator Darcy Wilmot, enjoying a career-best season, plays game 100 against the Bombers on the weekend, and the popular figure drew his coach's praise.
"I think he's everyone's favourite character at our club. It's an amazing career he's had, his first three games were finals - who does that? And then he plays 100 in a row - not many people do that, either.
"He's a pretty tough sort of a dude, and he is a dude, there's no doubt about that. We love him, he brings a lot of energy, and he's a fantastic player.
"He's having a super year - I'm hoping that the All-Australian selectors are taking notice of that. Sometimes, some of our blokes can tend to fly under the radar, but he's been absolutely fantastic…and I hope the boys play well in his honour.
"I just let him be who he is. I trust him, he's a unique character, and he's helped us enormously since he's been at the club. Maybe the fact that I just let him be who he is, is the reason why he's happy with me."
With the temptation to take the cellar-dwelling Essendon lightly, Fagan praised the Bombers for their sporadic competitiveness at different stages of the season, citing it as a reason to stay sharp, come Sunday.
"To be truthful it's the same challenge as every week. Nothing changes in our routine. We're mindful of the fact that Essendon beat Melbourne earlier in the year. They pushed the Gold Coast up here. Carlton, who are a really in form team at the moment, only beat them by less than a goal a few weeks back. It's like every team in the AFL - regardless of their position on the ladder, anyone can beat anyone on any given day.
"We just have to make sure we have a knot in our guts about the game on Sunday, and that we come along prepared.
"We've worked really hard the last four weeks. We looked like we were going to slide out of finals calculations a month ago, but we've worked our backsides off to get ourselves back in calculations, not just to make finals, but to be a chance to finish in the top four."
