HE'S A big fan of the fish and chips in Carlton, but Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is adamant he won't be coaching the Blues next season.
The rumour mill was set alight on Tuesday when Lyon was spotted having lunch with Blues list manager Stephen Silvagni.
I think if there was any subterfuge going on, I don't think we'd be sitting in the main strip of Carlton restaurants - Ross Lyon
The rendezvous came just one day after Carlton sacked coach Brendon Bolton.
Lyon is contracted to Fremantle until the end of 2020, and just last week expressed his desire to extend his tenure there.
But his lunch with Silvagni sparked talk the Blues might have a chance of poaching him.
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Lyon ruled out that prospect, downplaying his catch up with Silvagni.
"I had a beautiful barramundi bowl at Sea Salt Fish and Chips, the best in Carlton," Lyon told Channel Seven with a smile.
"He (Silvagni) is a close friend of mine ... so nothing suspicious there.
"I think if there was any subterfuge going on, I don't think we'd be sitting in the main strip of Carlton restaurants."
Stephen Silvagni and Ross Lyon after the Grand Final replay of 2010. Picture: AFL Photos
Silvagni and Lyon are part owners of the Lord Newry Hotel in North Fitzroy and worked together at St Kilda.
Lyon's tenure at Fremantle looked to be on shaky ground at the end of last season.
But with the Dockers sitting at 6-5 and with away wins against Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney already under their belts, Lyon's stocks have soared.
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Lyon, who has coached Fremantle since 2012, is keen to extend his stay in Perth.
"I'm loving my time at the Dockers," he said.
"I'm fully committed, and passionate, and (I have a) strong connection with the players, who have done a lot of hard yards.
"I feel like the wheel is turning slowly. We've got a lot of challenges in front of us. We lost Alex Pearce (to injury) but next man in, and we'll get going again."
Brad Scott, Michael Voss, and Brett Ratten are some of the other names who have been thrown up for the vacant Carlton role.
Caretaker coach David Teague may also throw his hat into the ring for the full-time gig.
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