After a week of speculation about Alan Toovey’s future at Collingwood, the 24-year-old made it clear he wanted to remain a Magpie after signing a new two-year contract keeping him in black and white stripes until the end of 2013.
While there was plenty of water-cooler chatter about Toovey’s status during the AFL trade week, the former rookie has stated that internally it was a different story.
“In house with the club and myself, we were on much closer terms than the media made it out to be,” Toovey told CTV on Wednesday after he signed his new contract.
“It’s pretty good to have that over and done with.
“It was a big snowball effect. I think if you go into trade week and there are only a few more days or weeks left before the contract runs out, something has to be done.
“Things kind of escalate with the media.”
Toovey admitted that negotiations between his management and the club had reached a stalemate with concessions made in order to agree on a new deal.
“There was a bit of a gap between what we wanted and what the club was offering. There was no movement on either side.
“I had to weigh up my options and as it stands now I am very happy to remain at the club.”
Toovey is one of the Magpies’ many success stories of the rookie-list system, having originally been selected from WAFL club Claremont with the second overall pick in the 2005 rookie draft. He was elevated to the senior list for the 2007 season.
“I have been here for five or six years now and love playing for the club.
“I love my teammates and coaches and everyone around the club so it’s definitely the place I want to stay at.”
As Toovey approaches his fifth season of senior football, he aims to improve his physique ahead of season 2012.
“I want to put on a little bit more weight and get a little bit stronger and want to work on my running game.
“That will be my main focus.”
Toovey and the majority of his teammates will return to training on Monday 21 November.
