Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says he doesn’t believe the Magpies will struggle to keep in-demand forward Jamie Elliott.

The 27-year-old is a free agent and has been heavily linked to Melbourne, but Buckley said Elliott could “back himself” to perform at Collingwood.

“No I don’t think it will be a battle (to keep Elliott), I know that ‘Billy’ loves this place, I know that he feels a real strong connection to it,” Buckley said on SEN’s Whateley.

“I know that with his upbringing and with his personality, he is really drawn to … kindred spirits or people that feel like family to him and I know that this place feels like family to him.

“We have to consider his needs from a financial perspective, but I think he’s also in a position now where he can really back himself, so I think that he’ll do that.”

Buckley said he wasn’t concerned about the short-term future of ruckman Brodie Grundy, who qualifies for free agency next year.

“He’s contracted to us for another year and there’s been a lot of focus on that,” he said.

“And once again Brodes and every player are going to weigh up their options, but I don’t think he’s someone that we need to worry about in the short term.”

Player manager Paul Connors, whose colleague Robbie D’Orazio manages Grundy, also played down the ruckman’s contract situation.

“He’s contracted next year, he’ll be there,” Connors said at the launch of AFL Trade Radio.

“We’ve got no concerns with him not playing next year. I think there was just – and I think it’s been overplayed – there was some just early feelers to say ‘could we possibly look at a contract extension?’

“Brodie’s a deep thinker, he’s a great person. It was just getting into finals so we just parked it. The conversation will take up in November, December, January.”

In other trade news, Connors said Gold Coast’s Ben King would be at the Suns next season, but couldn’t guarantee his future beyond 2020.

“He’ll be at the Suns next year. We hope so (that he’ll be there beyond 2020) but time will tell,” he said.

Connors said he expected Collingwood veteran Ben Reid to look to go around again in 2020, but was less certain on Geelong’s Harry Taylor.

“I reckon Ben Reid will play again.The key with Ben is every game he played, Ben Reid, was terrific and then he got injured and he showed resilience,” Connors said.

“I think key forwards are hard to find … I think Ben Reid will probably stay as well.

“I’m not sure with Harry. I think Harry will make his own decision in conjunction with the club, they’ll sit down.”