AFL Practice Match - Geelong v Collingwood
GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 26: Oliver Henry of the Magpies marks the ball during the AFL Practice Match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at GMHBA Stadium on February 26, 2021 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Collingwood and emerging forward Oliver Henry are understood to be "not overly close" to an end in their contract discussions, with the athletic spearhead yet to recommit to the Magpies beyond this year.

Henry has battled for his role in recent weeks, having been required to ply his trade in the VFL after being omitted from Craig McRae's side for their Round 19 clash with Essendon, a week after going unused as a medical sub against Adelaide.

The 20-year-old has played 14 games in 2022, booting 21 goals for the year to be placed third highest among Magpies players for majors, trailing Brody Mihocek and Jack Ginnivan.

Currently on his rookie contract, Henry is yet to re-sign at Olympic Park for 2023, being among a handful of key players still off-contract with just three rounds remaining in the home and away season.

But despite the current uncertainty, Henry is seen as a near guarantee to be playing in black and white next year, according to SEN's Sam Edmund.

The likely arrival of Brisbane free agency in the off-season would add further questions around Henry's role for the coming years, with the Lions forward likely to take the reins as McRae's first-string forward on a reported $600,000-per-season sum.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Steele Sidebottom of the Magpies talks with Oliver Henry during the round 10 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on May 22, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Edmund revealed talks between Henry's agent and the Magpies are underway, with certain boxes still needing to be ticked off between the two parties.

“Not overly close at this stage at Collingwood, but I think this one gets worked out. Both parties expecting that to be the case,” Edmund said of Henry's current contract situation.

“Henry’s management and Collingwood, they met in the last week or two. Talks are ongoing there.

“Now the Pies want him to stay, and Henry wants to stay, but with McStay coming in there’s some things to work out around what his future looks like on game day.

“I think they’ll get there, no real reason to think otherwise at this stage.

“It just needs to be worked through with the pieces coming back the other way like Dan McStay and the like.”

Henry joined the Magpies as the club's first selection in the 2020 National Draft, landing at 17th overall in his class.

Across almost two seasons, Henry has played 24 games for Collingwood after making his debut against the Western Bulldogs in Round 1 last year.