Elliott will stay a Pie — Buckley

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says he doesn’t believe the Magpies will struggle to keep in-demand forward Jamie Elliott.

The 27-year-old is a free agent and has been heavily linked to Melbourne, but Buckley said Elliott could “back himself” to perform at Collingwood.

“No, I don’t think it will be a battle (to keep Elliott). I know that Billy loves this place. I know that he feels a real strong connection to it,” Buckley said on SEN.

“I know that with his upbringing and with his personality, he is really drawn to ... kindred spirits or people that feel like family to him and I know that this place feels like family to him.

“We have to consider his needs from a financial perspective, but I think he’s also in a position now where he can really back himself, so I think that he’ll do that.”

Buckley said he wasn’t concerned about the short-term future of ruckman Brodie Grundy, who qualifies for free agency next year.

“He’s contracted to us for another year and there’s been a lot of focus on that,” he said.

“And once again, Brodes and every player are going to weigh up their options, but I don’t think he’s someone that we need to worry about in the short term.”

Player manager Paul Connors, whose colleague Robbie D’Orazio manages Grundy, also played down the ruckman’s contract situation.

“He’s contracted next year, he’ll be there,” Connors said at the launch of AFL Trade Radio.

“We’ve got no concerns with him not playing next year. I think there was just — and I think it’s been overplayed — there was some just early feelers to say, ‘Could we possibly look at a contract extension?’ ”

Connors said he expected Collingwood veteran Ben Reid to look to go around again in 2020.