Free agent Brayden Maynard has re-signed with Collingwood for four more years on a deal worth about $3.3 million.
The co-vice captain, considered the modern embodiment of the classic Collingwood player, a heart-and-soul figure extremely popular with the Collingwood fans, will be likely now to remain a Magpie for life having signed on until the end of 2029.
Brayden Maynard has re-signed with the Magpies for four more years.Credit: AFL Photos
“I love this club. From the players and staff to our incredible fans, everyone contributes to making Collingwood the club it is,” Maynard said.
“To the Magpie Army – it’s a privilege to represent you each week. No matter where we play, you show up in force with passion and loyalty, and I can’t wait to keep running out in front of you for years to come. Up the Maggies!”
Given the popularity of the tough defender, who has played 218 games since being drafted with pick 30 in the 2014 AFL national draft, it always seemed unlikely Maynard would leave. But the arrival of two more half-back flankers in Dan Houston and Harry Perryman last off-season created the idea that Maynard could become surplus to requirements in a team searching for options to bring in a draft pick.
Maynard’s form had been excellent this year regardless of the duo’s arrival and the fact he has carried a foot injury. His ruptured his plantar fascia a fortnight ago and will miss at least one more game after this week’s bye before returning.
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North Melbourne, Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Sydney were all interested in the free agent and while they were sceptical that he was a player Collingwood would be prepared to lose and not try to re-sign, the longer he remained unsigned the more hopeful they became.
It didn’t get to the point of clubs making formal contract offers, but he was made aware he could earn close to $1 million a year for four or five years if he were open to leaving. That sort of contract would have earned Collingwood a first-round draft pick in free agency compensation.
