COLLINGWOOD has secured the signatures of three key players – Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom and Nathan Brown – on the eve of its vital clash against Geelong on Saturday night.
Reid, 24, has committed to the Magpies in a four-year deal that ties him to the club until the end of 2018.
His re-signing also takes him off the free agents list, as he was a restricted free agent.
He said he did explore his options before deciding to re-sign.
"With free agency you do have a little look at what's out there," Reid said.
"But I'm more than happy at Collingwood and can't see myself leaving, that's for sure."
Reid can play at either end of the ground, but has been earmarked to play forward in 2014. He is yet to play a game this season, as he continues to battle a niggling calf injury.
Sidebottom – who has played 110 games with the Magpies – signed a two-year deal that keeps him at Collingwood until the end of 2016.
The 23-year-old was a key part of the Magpies' 2010 premiership team, and the club hopes he can take another step in the next two years as he enters the prime of his career. He is a member of the club's leadership group.
Brown, who was also elevated to the club's leadership group this season, has also signed with the club until the end of 2016.
The 25-year-old defender injured his shoulder in round two against the Sydney Swans after making a successful return last season from a knee reconstruction.
"I wanted a longer term deal the age I am now, and I'm really happy Collingwood agreed with that," Brown said.
All three players were first-round draft picks for the Magpies, and played in the 2010 premiership team under Mick Malthouse.
They form a talented trio at a club that is attempting to regenerate its playing stocks without slipping down the ladder. The Magpies have made the finals for the past eight years.
Revealing the news on The Club on Fox Footy, Collingwood's director of football Rodney Eade said the club was rapt to secure the three players.
“The trio have proven themselves to be accomplished performers over a sustained period, with their conduct on and off the field earning them the right to be regarded as senior players, and in the case of Steele and Nathan, a place in our leadership group," Eade said.
"Nathan, Ben and Steele are highly valued by their peers and the club’s coaching staff, and we are confident they are each capable of playing their best football in the coming seasons."
The Magpies are understood to have also come to terms with young prospect Alex Fasolo, while Brodie Grundy recently extended his contract.
Collingwood has Tyson Goldsack and Nick Maxwell as unrestricted free agents.
Maxwell is on a one-year contract as he approaches the end of his career.
