Geelong coach Chris Scott didn't categorically deny the reports linking the club to Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett when asked on Tuesday.
The Cats quickly emerged as a potential destination for Merrett at season's end, who is tipped to depart the Bombers.
While Hawthorn lingers as the favourite to secure the left footer, a report on The Agenda Setters indicated Scott reached out to Merrett to signal his club's intentions.
"Was there?" he said.
"No response. It's kind of like our private and confidential conversations and thoughts and hypotheticals.
"I think I've brought it up before, and I apologise to Marcus Bontempelli, but if someone said there's one in a million that he might come and play for the Cats, I'd explore it.
"So in that context, I don't think it's very interesting, even if it's true to say, 'hey, apparently the Cats are considering a really good player from another team'.
"That's incumbent on you (journalists) as part of your job. But I'm pushing back the right to know private information. I just disagree with that in principle, in my private life and professional life.
"But I also respect the fact that you need to ask. We can sit here and do this for hours."
The weekly press conference quickly veered to the intriguing discussion point surrounding Gryan Miers, who is set to be recalled for Thursday's game against St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium.
Miers is dealing with a partially torn ACL, and has spent time in the VFL in recent weeks to gather form, which has opened the door to a potential switch of clubs, with Carlton one club linked to the premiership forward.
“I guess it's more confusing for you than it is for us because I don't explain it in any detail – and don't have any intention to,” Scott said.
“But, we've been really happy with the way sort of things have progressed,
“I'm breaking my own rule here and sort of talking about selection before we actually select the team.
“But I'll be open on this one… yes, he will play.
“That's in a really good spot for him and us, in my opinion.”
Scott was quizzed on how Geelong will replace Jeremy Cameron in the forward line, with the reigning Coleman Medallist suffering an AC joint injury last week, and will be sidelined for at least a month.
Untried youngster Jay Polkinghorne has entered selection conversations in recent weeks, and after a five-goal performance in the VFL, is in line make his AFL debut.
"It's more than just the recent body of work,” Scott said.
"He had an injury, which slowed his progress quite a bit. He was on a really good trajectory even early in the season. If even I refer back to our pre-season games, where he was in the team and was performing well.
"I apologise for it a little bit. But the reality of our situation is we do tend to make those guys work for it a bit, and we think that there is a very strong case to be made for a thorough apprenticeship in the VFL.
"So on that basis, there's a good case to be made that he's served that apprenticeship.
"It doesn't guarantee he's going to play this week, but he's been in our thoughts a lot over the last month or so, so it's not unusual that he would be brought up again."
Geelong is set to make at least three changes for Thursday, with Jack Henry (throat) and Tanner Bruhn (neck) in doubt.
