Illawarra MPs Ryan Park and Paul Scully have been pushed into the spotlight as potential Labor leaders.
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But neither man would comment on the rumours, stating there was no vacancy in the role.
The rumours started following Labor's loss in the weekend byelection in the Upper Hunter.
With a slump in Labor's primary vote, some MPs have tipped this to be the end of state opposition leader Jodi McKay.
They threw up Mr Park and Mr Scully's names, along with former leader Michael Daley and Chris Minn, who challenged Ms McKay for the role.
Leadership speculation is nothing new as far as the Keira MP is concerned - this isn't the first time Mr Park's name has been thrown about as a possible state Labor leader.
As far back as 2016, Mr Park has eyed a leadership role. Then he had intended to run for the deputy leader's job, only to pull out late and see Michael Daley elected unopposed.
In 2018, when Luke Foley resigned as leader, there was again talk of Mr Park running for the position, only to again choose not to run.
"I've always said my favourite job is the Member for Keira; that hasn't changed," he said at the time.
In 2019 he came out and scotched more rumours that he would take a swing at the top job after leader Michael Daley led the party to defeat.
He decided the time was not right, citing the wish to be able to spend as much time at home with his young sons.
Those children are two years older, so it remains to be seen if that would be old enough to allow Mr Park to take on the top job.
Having Mr Scully's name brought up as a potential leader is something new - and perhaps indicative of the Wollongong MP's status within the party.
Mr Scully became MP of Wollongong in a 2016 byelection following sitting member Noreen Hay's resignation.
In less than three years, he was given a shadow ministerial role - Natural Resources - in Ms McKay's cabinet.
Both Mr Park and Mr Scully were contacted for comment but both declined, stating there was no vacancy as Ms McKay was still Labor leader.
Even South Coast MP Shelley Hancock was asked about the Labor issues during a Monday media call.
"I'm really not going to make comments on that," Mrs Hancock said. "I think that's a matter for the Labor party."
A sports betting agency has installed Mr Minns as favourite to win at $2.
The newcomer Mr Scully actually has better odds with the punters than Mr Park - he's paying $4 compared to the Keira MP's $8.
Even Mr Daley at $5.50 is favoured over Mr Park.