Jon Ralph and Jay Clark break down all the latest contract buzz in the AFL

They just walked a tightrope to sign Dayne Beams and have another two superstars in Brodie Grundy and Jordan De Goey who will command big dollars. Will someone be squeezed out? Plus Carlton, GWS and Tim Kelly contract news.

Collingwood needs to lock away Brodie Grundy and Jordan De Goey. Picture: AAP Images

Collingwood faces one of the biggest list management challenges in the league, fitting in pay rises for Jordan De Goey and Brodie Grundy.

Grundy could sign a contract as long as seven years, with many Pies taking longer contracts and the security that goes with it instead of big cash deals.

De Goey and 2020 free agent Grundy are both out of contract at the end of next season and are likely to command the best part of $1 million a year on their next deals.

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But the Pies remain confident they can lock away the duo in the same manner West Coast signed stars Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Gaff last year.

But what does it mean for some of the other stars at the Pies?

Darcy Moore is another who comes out of contract next year and has started the season in career-best form down back.

Collingwood will have to make some savings in other areas to balance the books, particularly with a stacked midfield featuring new recruit Dayne Beams.

Collingwood needs to lock away Brodie Grundy and Jordan De Goey. Picture: Getty Images

JONES CLOSING IN ON NEW DEAL

Liam Jones is on track for another multi-year contract extension after starting the season with a trio of powerful performances.

Jones finished sixth in last year’s best and fairest but had a number of games where key forwards got hold of him.

He was in early contract talks last year before a season-ending Round 18 injury and has started the year by beating Jack Riewoldt, Paddy Ryder and Lance Franklin.

At just 28 he can expect at least two more seasons on his next contract after one of footy’s great positional changes.

DOGS BACKFLIP ON NUMBERS ROLE

THE Western Bulldogs have changed their minds on a new recruiting position.

Late last year the club advertised for a new data analyst to help bolster their list management and innovation skills.

The club wanted a number cruncher to be responsible for “evaluating the statistical performance of AFL players, teams and potential draftees”.

But the Bulldogs have put a hold on the full-time job, at least for this season.

Instead, the club said it had “adopted a consultancy model for added recruiting services” and will reassess at the end of the season.

Liam Jones is set to sign a new deal with the Blues. Picture: AAP Images

WHERE IS THE KELLY DEAL AT?

Don’t expect an imminent announcement from Josh Kelly.

The superstar GWS midfielder is happy up north, but isn’t putting to pen paper on a whopping new deal just yet.

North Melbourne has tried to throw the kitchen sink at Kelly, knowing the difference his class and polish would make to the Roos’ engine room.

But as things stand, Kelly appears much more likely to stay in orange.

North’s early-season form slump probably doesn’t help their bid, either.

In contrast, the Giants will put their genuine premiership credentials to the test against Geelong at the Cattery on Saturday.

KELLY SET TO CASH-IN ON CALL

Could Tim Kelly have actually lowballed himself if he accepted West Coast’s contract last year?

He was keen to accept a long-term deal of around $600,000 a season at the Eagles.

But Kelly leads the AFL Coaches Association’s award after Round 3 with 26 of a possible 30 votes, ahead of Marcus Bontempelli, Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Neale and Patrick Cripps.

If his hot form continues surely Fremantle would be prepared to better that deal to secure one of the top 20 players in the competition.

Kelly is one of a dozen players 25 and under who fall out of contract this year.

Here is a status update on some of them.

Originally published as Jon Ralph and Jay Clark break down all the latest contract buzz in the AFL