It's the middle of June and Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is out of contract at the end of the season - remaining unsigned for 2026.
Reports have emerged Collingwood have made continual pitches toward the 29-year-old superstar while his commitment at Whitten Oval is yet to be signed off on.
After the end of the 2024 season, there might have been a world where Bontempelli entertained a fresh start at another club after the Bulldogs' meek finals against Hawthorn.
But after a solid start to the 2025 campaign, albeit with the team currently outside the top eight, the six-time All-Australian will extend his contract with the club, barring a complete breakdown in relations.
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There is no rush for Bontempelli to re-sign at the Bulldogs, with his value likely to only increase as his contract gets closer to expiry.
However, as the leader of the club, a premiership player that has spent his entire career in the west, it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for him to playing for Collingwood or another club next season.
The length of deal that Bontempelli signs at the Bulldogs will be interesting, with the gun midfielder having only had a maximum four-year contract in the past.
Four years would take the 'Bont' to 33 years old and would seem like a contract with solid security for a player that has given so much service to the club.
But could Bontempelli sign a shorter deal giving himself the possible option of moving to another club in the twilight of his career - if it appears like the Bulldogs are not flag challengers?
It's also clear the player could have a career well into his 30s, with his ability to play mainly as a forward, as Patrick Dangerfield currently is for Geelong, likely to prolong his time in the game.
The AFL world awaits Bontempelli's decision but seeing the superstar in black and white is something that just doesn't seem likely.