Collingwood to lock away Brayden Sier as it manages a tight salary cap

He’s struggled to break into the Collingwood midfield this year but despite rival interest and rumours of a trade, young Pie Brayden Sier is on the verge of signing a new deal.

Collingwood midfielder Brayden Sier is set to sign a two-year contract extension and back himself to cement a position in the Magpie midfield.

The strong-bodied onballer is in the final stages of agreeing to a deal which will keep him at the Holden Centre until at least the end of 2021.

The Herald Sun understands an announcement confirming the contract extension is imminent.

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His signature is a big win for Collingwood as it strives to retain its out-of-contract stars and plan new deals for matchwinners Brodie Grundy, Jordan De Goey and defender Darcy Moore — despite a bulging salary cap.

The Magpies are trying hard to balance the books without losing any stars and have recently signed core senior players Taylor Adams, Jack Crisp and Will Hoskin-Elliott to long-term extensions.

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Brayden Sier has struggled for opportunity in 2019. Pic: Michael Klein

One of the club’s best young players, Sier was one of the club’s next priority signings after a breakout 2018 season.

He was one of the Pies’ best players in the Grand Final loss to West Coast as he gathered 21 possessions and seven clearances.

But 2019 hasn’t gone to according to plan for the Marcellin product who lost his place to new recruit Dayne Beams in the midfield amid a frustrating run of injury setbacks.

Sier started the year in the VFL after an “OK pre-season”, according to coach Nathan Buckley, fuelling talk he was a key trade target for rival clubs, including Essendon.

But the Herald Sun understands Sier never really considered leaving the Magpies and is focused on making a strong return from his latest calf problem.

Taken pick No. 32 in 2015, Sier wants to play a meaningful role in the club’s premiership assault and help lead the development of the Pies’ next generation midfield brigade.

The powerful 191cm midfielder has played only six games in the senior team this season, averaging 14 disposals, four tackles and three clearances.

Sier was a revelation in the midfield last year. Pic: Michael Klein

Sier did not play his first senior games this season until the Round 12 win over Melbourne after a toe issue plagued the early part of his campaign.

Buckley said the Magpies have faced a challenge balancing the needs of their midfield this season.

“We’re definitely looking to get the balance in our side. We need a certain amount of inside midfielders and you need the runners outside,” Buckley said.

“Brayden was clearly in our best mix towards the end of year and played some really good footy with lower game time.

“He was a 65 per cent midfielder and just gave us the capacity to thicken the soup.”

Buckley said Sier needed to keep finding ways to improve his game this season on the back of a strong 2018.

Brodie Grundy is out of contract at the end of 2020. Pic: Michael Klein.

“He’s had an OK pre-season. He’s got some good solid work in; he’s had a few little injury concerns over the last month or so,” he added.

“What Brayden is working out, as we all discover at some stages of our career, is that it’s a tough caper.

“You need to keep finding ways to improve, you need to keep doing that work to get the rewards and there are form fluctuations as well.

“We have no fears that he has the talent to be able to get back to where he was last year. He’ll be fine.”