Essendon have shielded Michael Hurley from the media as speculation continues about the Greater Western Sydney target's future beyond 2012.
Having already landed 2009 No.1 draft pick Tom Scully at the end of last season, the Giants' window to sign uncontracted players from other clubs continues this year as they look to bolster their ranks beyond their debut season.
And with the exciting young Bomber set to come out of contract at season's end, the club are bracing themselves for season-long conjecture about his intentions with Kevin Sheedy's club reportedly set to make a big play for his services.
Hurley helped AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson launch the NAB Cup on Tuesday morning at McLeod Junior Football Club, where he began playing as a youngster.
And while he took part in a Q and A session as part of the official proceedings the Bombers didn't allow Hurley to answer questions from the media afterwards, instead putting up football operations manager Paul Hamilton.
Hurley was asked for an update on his future and joked '(I'm) contracted to the end of the year so as soon as I find anything out I'll let you know'.
Hamilton meanwhile was reluctant to be drawn on the subject other than to say negotiations are ongoing and the club are hopeful the new elevation to the leadership group at Windy Hill will stay.
"We're in talks but we'll sort those things out as we go through but we're very confident with the way things are going," Hamilton said.
"It's one of those things (and) we're in talks with a number of players about contracts, not just Michael."
"I'm sure he would like to stay yeah."
"We don't really like talking ourselves about the negotiation period because it's something that you have to do without the public eye."
"At the same time you don't want to have players to be harassed about it all the time either."
Asked if he there was concern the 21-year-old could be the Giants' No.1 target, Hamilton attempted to deflect attention away from Hurley.
"It's not a reason why he's there (in the leadership group), he's been voted in by his peers," Hamilton said when it was suggested Hurley might be keener to stay after becoming a club leader.
"I don't know what their (GWS) No.1 target is, I believe they've got about six or seven targets across the league so I think that's something we'll just have to wait and see."
As for on-field matters with Essendon set to open their NAB Cup on Sunday in Perth against West Coast and Fremantle, Hamilton said it's an exciting time but echoed Hurley's confirmation he won't play this week after a pre-season hamstring strain.
"Pre-season is going well, it's a pretty tough time of year and it can be gruelling at times but I'm feeling really good and I'm feeling fitter than I was last year so hopefully I'll come into the NAB Cup a little bit later on," Hurley said.
"Yeah he did, he had a small hamstring strain but he's good," Hamilton said of Hurley's injury.
"He won't play this week but he'll play during the NAB Cup and he's travelling really well."
"He's back to full training now so there shouldn't be any reason why he can't play a couple of NAB Cup games in preparation for the season."