Jobe Watson, Trent Cotchin and Nick Maxwell close to new deals with their AFL clubs Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson is close to signing a new deal with Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun AFL captains Jobe Watson, Trent Cotchin and Nick Maxwell are all on the verge of clinching new deals to stay with their clubs. The leaders of three of the AFL's traditional big four clubs have all either committed to staying or are considering deals already in front of them. Cotchin, still just 23, could be offered a deal as long as five years with Richmond, given his star power. Fellow unrestricted free agent Maxwell does not have the cachet of restricted free agent Dale Thomas, but is another Pie who will soon be locked away on Collingwood's star-studded list. Unrestricted free agent Watson, 28, has had to battle with the distractions of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority drugs investigation, but also wants an agreement in the near future. He is one of several Essendon players edging closer to new deals, including ruckman Tom Bellchambers and forward Stewart Crameri. It means the list of unrestricted free agents will soon shrink to 10, with Eddie Betts (Carlton) and Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs) also in talks with their clubs. Maxwell's manager, Peter Lenton, said the Pies captain was happy with negotiations. "He is not going anywhere, and he is out of contract, but he won't be for too much longer," he said. I have spoken with (Pies footy boss) Geoff Walsh a couple of times about where it is at, and we are all in agreement. Elite Sports Properties managers Justin Reid and Craig Kelly are negotiating the deals of Cotchin and Watson. Kelly said they would soon discuss Cotchin's options, which include deals of varying lengths. "Myself and Justin Reid have caught up with Dan (Richardson) and are planning to catch up with Cotch next week to go through what the club is considering," Kelly said. I think the club and us are committed to getting (Watson's contract) sorted out, too. There have been some distractions, but I would think both parties are keen to try to get it bedded down if we can. Both agreements are still playing out, but everything is looking positive. Richmond re-signed Brett Deledio on a five-season deal last year, and with Cotchin young and increasingly durable, there is no real risk in a deal that long. Cotchin and spearhead Jack Riewoldt have signalled their determination to stay at Richmond.