As speculation mounts that star Western Force back Drew Mitchell is headed to Queensland next season, the man at the centre of the tug-of-war admits he's a big fan of the Reds' exciting brand of Super 14 rugby.
The Reds have won just the two games this season but the fledgling squad, led by excitement machines Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes and Digby Ioane, has caught the attention of Mitchell, who is out of contract at season's end.
Queensland is desperate to regain the services of Mitchell, who notched 35 caps for the Reds before moving to the Force at the end of the 2006 season.
But the 25-year-old Wallaby, who can play either wing or fullback, insists he is yet to make a final decision on where his future lies and said all options were still on the table.
''I'm not any closer to coming up with a decision,'' Mitchell said.
''It's quite a big decision for me and one that I won't be taking too lightly.
''I'm certainly looking at all my options.
''It's a difficult time because it's my professional future, I just want to make the most informed decision as I can.
''I've got my parents coming over here this weekend so it will be a good time to sit down and have a proper chat, and then I'll sort of be closer to a decision.
''...I guess the closer I get to a game the less I think about contracts because ultimately you don't want it to be affecting your performance. It's more so after the games I'll sit down and think about it.''
The Force and Reds do battle at Subiaco Oval on Friday night and, in an ominous sign for the Force, Mitchell believed Queensland was a team on the rise.
''I've been pretty impressed,'' Mitchell said.
''I guess it's been evidenced that [coach] Phil Mooney's influence is really starting to come out on their style of play now.
''I guess it was always going to take a year or so to implement a new style of play and I guess it suits them very well.
''They've got some great playmakers in Berrick Barnes and Quade Cooper and some real spark out wide with Peter Hynes and Digby Ioane and they've been playing together for a longer period and it's starting to shine how well they know each other's games.
''With guys like Leroy Houston they are capable of those big blockbusting runs.''
Should Mitchell make the move back to Queensland, where he has extensive family, he would be an almost guaranteed starter over Mark McLinden at fullback.
The future of Force utility back James O'Connor is also up in the air.
The Force hopes to sign Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant to entice O'Connor to stay. AAP
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