Collingwood star Jamie Elliott has knocked back serious interest from rival club Gold Coast - and as recently as today - Carlton, to remain at Collingwood.
Elliott has been one of the most spoken of trade targets so far this off-season, with the Suns offering him a three-year deal despite being a 33-year-old.
Such interest from the Suns resultantly forced Collingwood to up their offer to Elliott to entice him to stay, with the length of the Suns contract becoming a pivotal factor in his decision.
Coming off the best year of his career where he kicked 60 goals for the season, Elliott’s contract demands were met by his side as they landed the veteran's signature for approximately $650,000 a year for the next two years.
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There is little to no doubt that if Elliott can replicate his outstanding form this season, he makes Collingwood’s forward line exponentially better, and they couldn’t afford to lose him.
"Common sense would suggest that the Pies without Elliott in 2026-27 are less of a chance of winning the premiership than if they had him," Nathan Buckley said on SEN Mornings.
"He’s had the best year of his career. Knowing Jamie, he is not a player that Collingwood would have thought was a flight risk which is maybe why he was lowballed – if in fact he was."
However, Elliott’s age will come into play yet again in a side that has been battling father time for some years now.
Collingwood came into this season with an average age of 26.3, the oldest in the competition, and an average games played of 102.1, which is also the most experienced in the competition.