Geelong seemingly have the ball in their court regarding the re-signing of gun midfielder Max Holmes amid rival interest.

The 21-year-old has reportedly indicated that he wants to stay at the Cats and is keen to sign a four-year deal, which takes him to free agency.

However, in a rare move regarding Holmes' immense talent, "the club has said, ‘let's just sit on it, let's just see how you're playing', which is a risky maneuver," according to Channel 9's Tom Morris.

“The latest around Max Holmes… this has been going on for weeks, the ball is in Geelong's court,” Morris told SEN Breakfast.

“Max Holmes has decided he wants to stay at the Cats and it's a four-year deal that would take him to free agency that his management has put back to the club.

“But this is Geelong, isn't it? They did it last year with Tom Hawkins. They weren't willing to pay overs on what they thought he was worth and in the end, they came to an agreement.

“Max Holmes has decided he wants to stay at the Cats for whatever price it is on a four-year deal.”

It was only last week that reports suggested "a lot of Victorian teams (were) waiting by the phone" for an update on Holmes' contract situation, despite the consensus he was staying at Kardinia Park.

Taken with Pick 20 in the 2020 National Draft, the damaging midfielder has started the year in fine fashion, contributing heavily to the club's undefeated start.

Holmes is averaging 23.2 disposals, 5.8 marks, 4.0 inside 50s and 572.9 metres gained in 2024, all career highs.