Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has warned any out-of-contract player who demands too much may be forced out of the club as the Magpies try to squeeze their stars under the AFL’s salary cap.
Collingwood have efficiently locked away several players while the high-profile negotiations have continued for key forward Travis Cloke.
Dayne Beams, Ben Reid, Harry O’Brien, Sharrod Wellingham and Tyson Goldsack are also still to sign.
Buckley says the players who were out of contract at the start of the year were all told it was going to be difficult to give everyone what they wanted and the five who have re-signed so far have done so with that in mind.
“We’re looking forward to the others doing the same,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“While there’s been talk of one contract affecting another contract, even with Cloke’s negotiations, we’ve been able to lock away some pretty important players in the meantime.
“There’s still a few boys we’re working to fit in and all of those guys understand the lay of the land and there’s not a lot of movement that can happen from our side of things.
“If a player or player manager was going to go a little bit too hard with us, especially with the circumstances we’re in this year, you’d either have to let that guy go or you have to find room somewhere else.”
Cloke’s talks have dragged on as he chases a five-year deal, while key players Scott Pendlebury, Heath Shaw, Steele Sidebottom, Luke Ball and Jarryd Blair have re-signed with the 2010 premiers this year.
Pendlebury will have to wait at least another week before returning for the ladder leaders as he recovers from a cracked tibia.
Although he’s no longer feeling any pain in his leg and wants to play this week against Fremantle, Buckley says Pendlebury won’t be risked and was still no certainty to take on Carlton on July 6.
Defender Chris Tarrant will train on Wednesday after pulling out of last week’s win over West Coast with an arm injury and is likely to play against the Dockers.
Buckley also says Alan Didak’s adductor injury has progressed well and he could be in line for a return this week.