MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Jamie Elliott of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood coach, Nathan Buckley, has told 1116 SEN Wednesday morning that he doesn't believe there will be a "battle" to re-sign small forward, Jamie Elliott.

"Billy loves this place and feels a really strong connection to it,” he said.

Elliott is an unrestricted free agent and has been linked to Hawthorn and Olympic Boulevard neighbours, Melbourne.

“I know that with his upbringing and his personality … this place feels like family to him.

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

And as for Grundy, Buckley says there should not be any immediate worry about the superstar ruckman.

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

“Brodie and every player are going to weigh up their options, but I don’t think he’s someone we have to worry about in the short term.”

Grundy, who has one more year left on his contract mentioned in a Herald Sun interview last week that family reasons are why he would potentially request a move to Adelaide.

Prominent player-manager, Paul Connors, spoke about Pies premiership forward Ben Reid's contract status this morning on AFL Trade Radio.

Connors said, "Ben Reid will probably stay (at Collingwood)."

He also mentioned the importance of key position players (such as Reid) in the game and the need to retain them.