MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Brodie Grundy of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 14 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium on June 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood general manager of footy Geoff Walsh has discussed the contract situation of star ruckman Brodie Grundy.

The 25-year old comes out of contract at the end of the 2020 season and has been linked to a move back to South Australia.

Walsh said the club was hoping to extend Grundy’s contract this year.

“We would certainly hope to do that for sure (extend Grundy’s contract this year),” he told AFL Nation.

“We all know how important Brodie is to our team. I know Ned Guy our list manager is talking to Brodie’s management and he’s spoken to Brodie personally a few times.

“I wouldn’t think that it’s a bad sign (that we haven’t re-signed him yet.)

“Brodie’s next contract is probably the first one he’s going to do as a genuine superstar of the game so there’s a fair bit of toing and froing on that.”

Grundy is enjoying a dominant campaign for the Pies, averaging 20.8 disposals and 42.1 hitouts while ranking sixth in the competition in contested possessions.