Collingwood secures Matthew Scharenberg, Jaidyn Stephenson but big names remain unsigned

COLLINGWOOD has secured the signatures of some of its most important players including a top-10 draft pick and experienced free agent but two of the club’s biggest names remain unsigned.

Matthew Scharenberg of the Magpies.

COLLINGWOOD has continued its contract re-signing spree with a fresh two-year extension for prized backman Matthew Scharenberg.

The Herald Sun revealed on Tuesday the No.6 draft pick had recommitted until the end of 2020 amid a breakout fifth AFL season.

The 22-year-old has become the seventh Magpie to re-sign over the past month as Collingwood prepares to ramp up crucial talks on the futures of out-of-contract senior stars Jordan de Goey, Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore.

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There is intense interest in de Goey from North Melbourne, St Kilda and Carlton but Collingwood remains confident it can keep all three uncontracted stars in its tight salary cap.

If de Goey accepts a big-money offer to leave, it will free up some cash and significantly bolster Collingwood’s attempts to land superstar Gold Coast free agent Tom Lynch.

But Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said he believed de Goey, 22, was keen to stay.

Matthew Scharenberg is showing why the Magpies took him in the top 10 in the 2013 draft.

“There’s a really tight bind between he and the playing group and you can see that in the way he is enjoying his footy and coming out and playing,” Buckley said.

“We are pretty confident that will continue.”

Scharenberg’s deal is a major coup for the Magpies as the two South Australian clubs have been keenly eyeing the Glenelg product since the 2013 national draft.

But the pinpoint defender was desperate to repay the club’s faith throughout his debilitating early injury run which has included dual knee reconstructions and serious foot problem.

Signing Spree

SIGNED ON

Matt Scharenberg

Jaidyn Stephenson

Callum Brown

Tyler Brown

Max Lynch

Brayden Sier

Ben Reid

OUT OF CONTRACT

Jordan de Goey

Darcy Moore

Jamie Elliott

Alex Fasolo

Scharenberg’s career was at the crossroads after a second knee injury in late 2015, but the versatile defender has fought back to become a key cog in Collingwood’s defence this year.

The 191cm rebounding defender has averaged 21 possessions a game and is rated elite for intercept marks (2.4), intercept possessions (7.5) and spoils (4.5) this year by Champion Data.

While there is some ongoing uncertainty around the futures of de Goey, Moore, Elliott and free agent Alex Fasolo, who looks set to put off talks until later in the year, some of the Magpies’ most important youngsters have all been locked away in recent weeks.

Rising Star favourite Jaidyn Stephenson, Callum and Tyler Brown, big man Max Lynch, strong-bodied onballer Brayden Sier and swingman Ben Reid have all penned new deals as the Pies charge towards their first finals appearance in five years.

Darcy Moore remained out of contract.

Reid is understood to have clinched a one-year agreement, while a new deal for first-year rookie backman Flynn Appleby is also in the works.

Buckley’s troops are 8-4 and can close to within one win of the top-four with its ninth victory of the season against beleaguered rival Carlton at the MCG on Sunday.

The Magpies can build considerable momentum over the next three weeks with follow-up clashes against struggling Gold Coast and Essendon to come.

Collingwood also takes on bottom four sides Brisbane (Round 21) and Fremantle (Round 23) to round out the season.

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