BOOM recruit Tim Kelly has parked contract negotiations with Geelong as focus shifts to talks over star forward Daniel Menzel's future.
Kelly, 24, will wait until season's end to recommence discussions over an extension beyond 2019 as Fremantle and West Coast continue to monitor his situation.
With a year to run on Kelly's initial two-year draft deal, the Cats had been hoping recently to lock him away long-term.
Fresh off a best-on-ground performance against ladder leaders Richmond on Friday night, the West Australian junior will instead put his sole focus into propelling Geelong towards finals.
The former electrical apprentice and his fiancée Caitlin Miller have settled in Geelong with three children under the age of three after Kelly was drafted with pick 24 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.
While the Cats remain confident in Kelly seeing out at least 2019, the Dockers and Eagles are expected to enquire about bringing him home during this year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
Kelly's agent Anthony Van Der Wielen told AFL.com.au last month he had no intentions to move his client this October.
"At the moment, he's there this season and next season, whether he likes it or not … and he loves it. An AFL contract, when you go into the draft, you have two years at the club," he said.
"Nothing is definitive because player movement has changed so much.
"If it goes to trade week (this year) and Geelong can get a player they want for Tim in a deal with West Coast or Fremantle, then who knows? But that's not in our plans."
Meanwhile, Menzel's endeavours to secure a multi-year deal will ramp up in coming weeks when talks between the club and his management intensify.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, Menzel will again ask for a two-year extension that was denied last year due to concerns over his body.
After leaving the door ajar for rival offers during trade period, Menzel re-committed to the Cats on a one-year deal.
The 26-year-old has returned to play the past four matches after a groin injection, out of his control, went wrong in April.
Prior to his 10-week lay-off, Menzel kicked 15 goals from the opening five matches, prompting coach Chris Scott to answer questions on his hopes for career security.
"If you'd asked me 12 months ago I would've said, 'Yep, lock him down for the next year'. So that'll be the plan again," Scott said in April.
"But I think everyone's crystal-clear when it comes to Dan … I feel for him, but he just can't expect that any club's going to commit to him for the long-term because there's so many doubts over his body.
"But I'd love to have him committed for 2019."
Menzel's signature remains one of a number of list management decisions for Geelong in coming months.
Rhys Stanley, who is line to return to face Hawthorn on Saturday is closing in on a two-year deal after a career-best six-week patch of form.
Last week's debutant Ryan Abbott remains out of contract, with talks over an extension for the 27-year-old ruckman expected in coming weeks.
Fringe players Jackson Thurlow, Jordan Murdoch and unrestricted free agent George Horlin-Smith, as well as rookies Stewart Crameri, Jamaine Jones and Sam Simpson also remain without contracts for 2019.
Stephen Wells and his list management team will also face tough calls on Cory Gregson (foot) and Aaron Black (knee) who have been sidelined for the rest of the season.