Their batch of unheralded youngsters has helped catapult Collingwood into the top four, now the Magpies are closing in on re-signing two of that young group.

Fairfax Media understands that the Pies are well into negotiations to lock away defenders Tom Langdon and Jackson Ramsay. Discussions between the club and the players' respective managers have been fruitful, with deals expected soon.

Langdon, 20, was a revelation last year, playing 19 games and winning the Harry Collier Trophy as Collingwood's best first-year player after being overlooked in the 2012 draft. The 189-centimetre backman has shown an ability to play on both talls and smalls, and has continued to impress in 2015, playing all five games. West Australian Ramsay is in his third year at the Magpies, but only made his debut in the penultimate round of 2014. The pacy small defender has also played every game this season.

Both players form part of the youthful Pies team that enters Friday night's game against Geelong at 4-1, on the back of three straight wins against St Kilda, Essendon and Carlton. Resounding defender/wingman Adam Oxley, small backman Marley Williams, midfielders Jack Crisp, Tim Broomhead and Taylor Adams, small forward Jamie Elliott and ruckman Brodie Grundy, all are also 22 or under and regulars in Nathan Buckley's team.

Fairfax Media last week revealed that Elliott's anticipated new contract with the Pies had been held up by a change of management, but Collingwood remain confident the deal is a formality.

Other Magpies out of contract at season's end include midfielder Sam Dwyer, injury-plagued 2013 first-round draft picks Matt Scharenberg and Nathan Freeman, small defender Ben Sinclair, former Hawk Clinton Young, and ostracised pair Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas - both of whom tested positive for banned substance Clenbuterol in March.