ESSENDON is moving towards another key re-signing, with defender Michael Hibberd headed for a new deal.
The Bombers have secured the majority of their list for next year but Hibberd remains their most important player to fall out of contract at the end of this season.
That's likely to change soon, with the 24-year-old's management starting talks with the club on a contract extension.
"The club are going through it with my management now. It's not something that I'm really worried about," Hibberd told AFL.com.au.
"Who knows how long it will go on for…[but] that's something that will happen. I want to stay a one-club player obviously as everyone does. It's not a big issue at the moment, the club is running through it so there's no dramas."
After playing every game last year in a breakout season, Hibberd overcame a pre-season hamstring strain to feature prominently in the first two games of Essendon's 2014 campaign.
He is optimistic about the club's future, and wants to be a part of it.
"The club's going the right direction and I'm personally really excited about our list and how well we can go in the future. I think the next few years are going to be pretty promising and I definitely want to stay at a club like Essendon," he said.
"My best mates are there at the moment and I'm having fun playing footy there, so there's no reason why I'd want to go anywhere else."
The Bombers recently re-contracted star midfielder David Zaharakis, while a number of key players signed last year despite the backdrop of the supplements saga.
That group included captain Jobe Watson, emerging players Jake Carlisle, Jake Melksham and Dyson Heppell, and key defender Cale Hooker.
Along with Hibberd, other Bombers out of contract at the end of this year include Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett, Jason Winderlich and Leroy Jetta.
Young forward Joe Daniher is signed beyond 2014.
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey