While the AFL world has been abuzz in recent days with talk about the Magpies having Frawley in their sights - or even secured for next year -  club sources are adamant that they are neither in a position, nor interested, in recruiting the game's stand-out free agent.

Geelong has confirmed its interest in Frawley, who is considered short odds to leave the Demons and sign with another club, while Gold Coast is another confirmed suitor, provided he fits into its payments structure.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley's comments on Frawley on AFL 360 during the week - the coach did not hose it down when questioned about Frawley - have fuelled more talk about Collingwood and Frawley, particularly among officials from other clubs.

But Fairfax Media understands that Collingwood has ruled itself out of the Frawley race, in part, but not only, because of its salary cap. The Pies also believe they have sufficient key defensive options, with Jack Frost, Lachlan Keeffe and Nathan Brown, who is out for the rest of the season, and with Darcy Moore expected to be signed as a father-son in the national draft.

The athletic Moore, according to a number of AFL club recruiters, is best suited to playing as a key defender, even if he is capable of playing forward.

Despite offloading Heath Shaw to Greater Western Sydney and Dale Thomas signing with Carlton, the Pies' salary cap position is constrained for the next two seasons - unless they trade out players. The Pies have Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke and Dane Swann all paid in excess of $650,000, with Ben Reid also re-contracted on a substantial deal and key midfielder Dayne Beams due to come out of contract at the end of 2015.

Melbourne does not have an offer on the table for Frawley at this stage. The Demons say that they are honouring Frawley's wish to put talks on hold until the end of the season.

Frawley can cross to the club of his choice, without Melbourne having the capacity to match any contract and hold him, because he is classified as an unrestricted free agent. Frawley, although only 25 and in his eighth season, is unrestricted because his frontloaded contract saw him fall out of Melbourne's top 10 paid players in 2014.

Melbourne is not overly troubled by losing Frawley, so long as it receives a first round pick - straight after its first pick - as compensation in the national draft. This is assured, provided the contract he signs with another club is long and/or large enough to earn the club that prized choice. The Demons could trade one of their two first rounders if they receive that pick for Frawley.