Out-of-contract premiership defender Harry O'Brien says he wants to play out his career at Collingwood despite the possibility of earning more money elsewhere.
The 25-year-old is adamant he will remain a Magpie beyond 2012 and extend his career in the black and white into a ninth season and beyond.
"I haven't started any talks at the moment but I want to play for Collingwood for the rest of my career," O'Brien said on Friday.
"I know that it will be at a price. There are players who could go elsewhere, make a move, and most players make a move to gain more money.
"I know that could be the case if I was to make a move but I want to spend my whole football career at Collingwood and I plan to do so."
His comments came the day after teammate Travis Cloke revealed he had been offered a five-year deal worth close to $1million a season by Fremantle, but wanted to stay at Collingwood.
O'Brien said Cloke was "very important" to the team as its centre-half forward and contested marking specialist.
He also backed the way Cloke was handling the situation, and wasn't concerned about his interview on Thursday night's The Footy Show where he said he didn't have a time limit on negotiations.
"I don't want to rush into decisions also so I can understand where he's coming from," O'Brien said.
"I didn't really look too deep into the comments. I didn't even know about them until I was informed by our media people.
"That sort of stuff doesn't really interest me at this stage, particularly the day before a game.
"I don't really follow the footy news around too much. It doesn't really interest me, getting involved in things I can't control."
Incidentally, Collingwood plays Cloke's main suitor - Fremantle - on Saturday at the MCG.
O'Brien said the match wasn't a stage for both clubs to present to Cloke who he should sign with.
"I think every time we represent the Collingwood Football Club whether it's at training or playing, that's a good enough reason for why Collingwood's esteemed as being at the pinnacle of Australian sport," he said.
Cloke is one of many other Magpies poised to come out of contract, with Sharrod Wellingham, Dayne Beams, Ben Reid and Chris Tarrant the others.
Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
