North Melbourne defender Sam Wright is pushing for a long-term contract extension after reaching a games trigger to keep him at the club in 2016, with his manager taking to Twitter to refute the fact that he had re-signed.
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Wright has played every game this season, and is believed to feel his strong form as a rebounding and lockdown defender should be rewarded beyond a one-year deal.
While he is contractually obliged to be at the club in 2016, he would become an unrestricted free agent should he not re-commit beyond that point.
The Roos say they are comfortable with where discussions are situated in relation to a further extension, with a club spokesman saying that talks were ongoing.
Wright's South Australian manager, Greg Size of Deliver Sports Management refuted a club tweet suggesting that Wright had re-signed already, saying that further contract talks had been put off until the season is completed. "A bit cheeky guys, he hasn't signed anything yet," Size tweeted.
OFFICIAL: Great to have Sam Wright sign a new deal! All the details #NMFC http://t.co/lSSROoCPBW— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial)
August 27, 2015
@NMFCOfficial A bit cheeky guys. He hasn't signed anything yet— Greg Size (@gsize37)
August 27, 2015
"Sam is keen to finish the season off strongly, with North hopefully going deep into the finals, and then we'll sit down with the Kangas and work everything out," Size added to Fairfax Media. "There is not much more really to say at this stage."
It's believed that multiple clubs had shown preliminary interest in Wright, including Sydney, St Kilda, and Geelong.
The Swans' rebounding stocks have been depleted in recent years, and they will be seeking to replace Rhyce Shaw, having also lost Nick Malceski last year, and Marty Mattner in 2013.
Wright, 25, hasn't missed a game since being recalled to the Kangaroos' side in round 16 last season, after being one of the club's best in the 2014 finals series.
Over 104 games at the club he has played in a variety of roles, including as a defensive forward, but appears most at home in defence, where his skills with both feet and decision making have been keys to North Melbourne's backline stability.
The Roos have in recent weeks made a number of re-signings, extending the contracts of Aaron Mullett, Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Ben Jacobs and Robbie Tarrant. Those who remain without deals for 2016 include Robin Nahas, Brad McKenzie and Majak Daw.
