AFL officials are increasingly bemused by the concessions granted to promising dual athlete Will Sutherland as the league attempts to coax him to choose footy over cricket.
Sutherland, the son of Cricket Australia chief executive James, is considered a top-10 draft choice in the AFL and, according to those in the know, also has the makings of a future Australian cricketer.
The teenager is yet to declare which sport he'll pursue, but AFL Victoria has given the Scotch College student special treatment to lure him to Aussie Rules.
Sutherland is yet to play a TAC Cup game this season. Normally to be selected in the under-18 national carnival, a player is required to take part in top flight underage competition.
But that ruling was waived when Sutherland turned his back on the league in preference to play for his school, Scotch College, in the APS competition.
Despite this, his performances in the carnival dazzled recruiters and elevated Sutherland as a likely first-round draft choice.
AFL Victoria officials are still unaware whether Sutherland will play in the TAC Cup this year.
While he is zoned to the Sandringham Dragons, ESPN has been told he has attempted to get a clearance to the Oakleigh Chargers to play with school mates.
If, for the second time this year, Sutherland decides not to play in the under-18 comp, he only has three matches to prove his worth in the Associated Public Schools competition for Scotch.
The indecisiveness of the brightly talented teen and the concessions given to him by AFL Victoria has baffled and bemused some AFL officials.
Heidi Sutherland, Will's mother, is a director on the AFL Victoria board.