Coach Trent Robinson is unbothered about the future of Sydney Roosters prodigy Sam Walker, despite reports the 22-year-old is interested in testing his value on the open market.
Walker's undeniable talents have helped the third-placed Roosters amass a league-high 642 points this season and have caught the attention of potential suitors.
But with his side locked in a tense battle with Penrith, Cronulla and Canterbury for a top-two NRL finish, Robinson is in no mood to tolerate such distractions.
"In the nicest possible way I do not care at this point in time," he said.
"And he knows exactly how I feel about him. I care about Sunday, that's all I care about.
"We are really clear about how we want to play week on week.
"There's no more movement from us in the next six to eight weeks. I'd like in probably eight weeks to get it done, but for me I don't care right now."
Walker is recognised as one of the game's most promising young halves and an heir apparent to Daly Cherry-Evans in the Queensland Maroons engine room.
With his contract at the Roosters running out after the end of 2025, he has been linked with a move back to his native Brisbane.
But Easts will be eager to lock him down long-term, with veteran five-eighth Luke Keary leaving the club for the Super League's Catalans Dragons at season's end.
Robinson was asked whether serious contract talks with Walker had been put on hold because of the looming finals series, which the Roosters are a genuine chance of winning.
"I'd say so," he said.
"I'm not involved in the conversations there and so therefore it's just not in my line of sight. My line of sight is Sunday, it's the session we've got tonight, it's the players that are here right now. That's all that I care about right now."
History suggests Robinson has little to worry about against 13th-placed Gold Coast.
The Roosters have won 10 straight over the Titans - a streak that extends back to 2017.
Mathematically the Titans still have a chance of making the top eight, but realistically their season is already over.
Even if they manage to win their remaining matches they will be ruled out of finals contention if St George Illawarra clinch one more win, or if the Broncos or Dolphins win two more.
