GOLD Coast has shied away from its reported interest in free agent James Frawley, with coach Guy McKenna saying the club's priority was to shore up its current list.
McKenna stopped short of ruling the Suns out of the race to secure Frawley's services, but said he and list manager Scott Clayton would address the issue at the end of the season.
Frawley is seeking a long-term deal – up to seven years – and is being sought after by a number of rival clubs.
Demons coach Paul Roos told Fox Footy on Monday night they were yet to put a deal to the versatile key position player, but said they were keen to keep him.
Ahead of Saturday's QClash against the Brisbane Lions, McKenna did his best to avoid questions about the 25-year-old, saying his priorities were elsewhere for the time being.
"Our priorities, to give you a sneak peek into our recruiting door, are Gary (Ablett), we know how important he is, Tommy Nicholls and Luke Russell," McKenna said.
"As far as priorities go, they're the blokes we're focusing on now.
"I'm not going to sit here and talk about who we're talking to, who we're not talking to, who do we need, because if I get caught up in that, how does Steven May and Rory Thompson feel?"
Ablett is still contracted until the end of 2015, but it is believed the Suns have already begun negotiations for an extension.
They have also re-signed boom youngsters David Swallow, Harley Bennell, Brandon Matera and May among a host of others to more lucrative deals in the past six months.
May and Thompson have formed a formidable one-two defensive punch this season, while Tom Lynch, Sam Day and Charlie Dixon have all blossomed in the forward 50.
"Of course if they're good players, you're going to talk to everyone," McKenna said.
"I might want them, but do they fit into the salary cap? Our priority right now is retaining our players that have been here since day dot and done the hard yards … we'd like to back these boys in.
"We want to retain what we started with. I can't sit here and answer that question (about Frawley) definitively until the end of the season."
