Melbourne has started contract talks with rising star Jayden Hunt

MELBOURNE has started contract talks to lock away its electric half back Jayden Hunt. Also, get the latest on deals for Andy McGrath and Brodie Grundy.

Jayden Hunt in action for the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE has started contract talks to lock away its electric half back Jayden Hunt as he quickly becomes one of the AFL’s most dangerous players.

The Herald Sun understands Hunt’s management company and the Demons are in preliminary talks about a new extension.

In just 31 games the 22-year-old has become an attacking weapon off half back in a league where linebreaking is more valuable than ever.

Already contracted until the end of 2018, he is willing to sign a longer deal after being plucked from obscurity by the Demons.

Across town Essendon’s own halfback star Andy McGrath will also be happy to tack on another year or more to his contract later in the season.

With Essendon working through deals for Joe Daniher and Darcy Parish negotiations are not yet underway.

But the No. 1 player in last year’s draft is thriving at Essendon and is open to negotiating a longer contract despite being in his first year.

Jayden Hunt takes on Collingwood’s Adam Treloar. Picture: Getty Images

He and the second player picked in last year’s draft — Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage — are among the final players of last year’s top 10 not to extend their deals.

Collingwood will sit down with Brodie Grundy’s management later this week to finalise a three-year contract.

He had delayed talks until the CBA was ticked off but he is keen to stay at the club in a deal that will take him to eight years of service.

Grundy is a huge fan of Pies senior coach Nathan Buckley and ideally would love him to remain at the helm of the club.

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Melbourne’s Hunt has emerged at a time when many of the stars of the competition are aggressive halfbacks who set up play.

The Demons took a chance on him at pick 57 after playing little football for Brighton Grammar, excited by his pulsating speed.

Then he played only 21 VFL games in his first two VFL seasons with back injuries but was given a one-year lifeline to stay on the list in 2016.

Now he averages 25 metres per disposal — the No. 1 ranked player in the competition of any of the regular ball winners.

Brodie Grundy has a good relationship with Nathan Buckley. Picture: Getty Images

Hunt is also developing into a cult favourite with Melbourne fans similar to star ruckman Max Gawn.

He cultivates a left-field and quirky presence on social media with pictures of owls, Darth Vader and a love of Nippy’s ice chocolate.

Recently after a loss against Fremantle he cheered himself up with a spur-of-the-moment visit to Luna Park.

He also won a battle against the AFL to allow him to wear a multicoloured headband during AFL games.

“People might call me a bit weird, but I don’t really care,” Hunt said in a recent interview.

“I’m not doing it to get fans or anything like that. It’s just showing who I really am.”