Jamie Elliott resists rival interest to re-sign with Collingwood

Dynamic small forward Jamie Elliott has resisted a strong push to move north and has re-signed to remain at Collingwood, making the premiership player a Magpie for life.

The unrestricted free agent has recommitted to Collingwood for two more years on at least $650,000 per year.

The 33-year-old received a three-year offer from the Suns on more money than Collingwood had been offering with their two-year deal.

With family in Airlie Beach in northern Queensland and plans for him to move there post-football, Elliott very seriously considered the chance to move north now and take up the offer at the Gold Coast.

The Magpies increased their offer to Elliott earlier this week, raising the dollar amount each season, but the contract remains for two years, not the three available at the Suns.

The re-signing is hugely important for the Magpies, who are likely to lose another of their 30-something forwards – the 32-year-old Brody Mihocek, who has received a three-year deal from Melbourne. Collingwood have offered him a two-year deal on less money than the Demons.

Elliott was desperately unlucky to not be named All-Australian this year. He was on the shortlist but missed out on the final team, with selectors considering the 177-centimetre player a target forward, not a small forward.

Elliott kicked 60 goals for the year, including four in the losing preliminary final side.

Elliott took a spectacular mark in the goal square during the preliminary final, a mark that many considered should have been mark of the year but was ineligible because it occurred after the home-and-away season.

Elliott said he was pleased to remain a Magpie for life.

“Collingwood has been my home for the past 14 years and I can’t wait to continue running out in front of the Magpie army,” Elliott said.

“Celebrating my 200th game earlier this year, surrounded by my family and teammates, will be something I’ll never forget. I’m incredibly proud to be a Collingwood person.

“I look forward to seeing what we can achieve as a team over the coming years and creating many more memories.”

The Magpies had the oldest list in history this year and have already seen another recent premiership player in his thirties, Will Hoskin-Elliott, announce his retirement this year, while Tom Mitchell is poised to leave and Mason Cox’s future at the club is uncertain.

Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury are all playing on next year.

The Magpies, meanwhile, are likely to secure Sydney key forward Jack Buller after the emerging player asked the Swans for a trade. The 199-centimetre 24-year-old kicked 11 goals in the last nine games for the Swans this year.

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