Collingwood midfielder Dale Thomas says he wants to stay a Magpie Dale Thomas says he wants to stay a Magpie. COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dale Thomas says he "would love to be a one team player," but only if the price is right. The 25-year-old will become a target of rival clubs under free agency rules at the end of the season if he doesn't put pen to paper. "Football isn't all about money but at the end of the day it is a job... at the start of the day there is probably more love for the game and what you are doing and as you go it becomes, you wise up a little," Thomas told Nova 100's Hughesy & Kate this morning. I still love football and I love what I do. The industry as it is with free agents and the like you have to look after your own future. The 2010 premiership onballer has played 152 games and kicked 121 goals since making his debut in 2006. I am hopeful to stay at Collingwood. Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said last week he was confident Thomas would re-sign with the club. "I hope I can prove the coach right," he said. Thomas said he was "feeling fit" ahead of tomorrow night's run with the Magpies reserves in a curtain-raiser match against an AIS-AFL Academy squad at the MCG. My ankle is very, very good. Meanwhile, Magpies rookie defender Michael Hartley will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on his shoulder yesterday. "Michael had an arthroscope to repair an AC joint separation after hurting his shoulder in the game on Friday," Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh told the club's website. Hartley missed three months last year after a separate bout of shoulder surgery.