Interim Carlton coach Josh Fraser can only laugh at the weekly questions about the potential to win the job on a full-time basis.
Fraser goes into Saturday's clash with West Coast with a perfect 5-0 record since taking over when Michael Voss quit the club in May.
In his first press conference after Voss's departure, Fraser immediately ruled himself out of becoming the Blues' next coach.
But the former Collingwood ruckman is putting together a compelling case to continue beyond this season.
Even Voss has conceded Fraser will, at the very least, have to be put through the process by Carlton hierarchy to find the club's next coach.
But Fraser is maintaining his stance he is not ready to become a full-time AFL coach, laughing off potential for him to reconsider his position.
"No, I haven't," Fraser said.
"Every club's chasing chasing on-field connection, and you've got to continue to find ways to do it differently.
"As a coaching group, we're considering what we're doing, we're looking at finding different ways to challenge players.
"It's something that every club chases, and the best clubs I've been at do it really well."
Even if Fraser doesn't publicly put up his hand to win the Carlton job, Blues chief executive Graham Wright could convince him to be part of the process without formally applying.
From 1-8 when Voss left, Carlton can square the ledger if they beat West Coast and Richmond in the next fortnight.
The Blues are suddenly right in contention to snare one of the 7-10 Wildcard spots, new to the AFL this season.
"I'm sure this won't come as a surprise when I say I haven't even looked at that and I haven't put the time and energy into that," Fraser said.
"I really like what West Coast are doing and it's important for us to set ourselves up well to go out and play and get a result.
"Nothing is given, we've got to make sure we do today really well."
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