Out-of-contract St Kilda midfielder Jack Billings said talks on a new contract haven’t progressed, but hoped a deal would be signed “at some stage”.
The 25-year-old is averaging 24 touches so far this season and remains a key part of the Saints’ midfield group.
When asked on Tuesday whether he was intent on shunning free agency and staying at St Kilda, Billings was non-committal.
“Nah not really,” he told The Age when asked about whether contract talks had progressed.
“Obviously (it’s) early in the year and I’m just focusing on the footy and hopefully it takes care of itself at some stage.
“Hopefully (I’ll re-sign), see how we go.”
Billings said he had learned plenty from previous contract negotiations and was intent on only focusing on football in the coming weeks.
“I think the biggest thing was just focusing on what I could control and that was playing my part for the team each week and just focusing on footy which is the most important thing,” he said.
“You’ve got a manager who deals with all that sort of stuff for a reason, so you sort of let them look after it and you just focus on what you love doing, that’s playing footy, and I feel like that worked for me in the past, and if we’re winning I’m just happy, it’s all good.”
The Saints will open Round 5 with much-anticipated clash against Richmond, on the back of their surprise victory over West Coast last Saturday.