Pie's new contract

AN EXTENDED deal is just the latest chapter in the success story that is Paul Medhurst.

Medhurst, who will now remain with Collingwood until at least 2010, credits a new coach, a change in scenery, and an increase in maturity as the main reasons behind his dramatic improvement in form over the past year.

The 26-year-old has been one of Collingwood’s best this season, thrilling with his eye-catching antics in attack while still finding the big sticks enough to lead the club's goal-kicking with 48 majors.

However, his impressive form wasn't always so assured. When he first crossed to Collingwood in time for the 2007 season, he was struggling with the off-field Perth-to-Melbourne transition as well as inconsistency as a player.

"In the first year, I really dealt with homesickness and missing family and friends, as anyone would when you change your job and state," he said, ahead of the Pies' round 22 clash with his former side Fremantle.

"From then on, I've really built some momentum with my footy and with the way that I've handled things off the field. I'm very settled here now.

"Mick [Malthouse] has given me an opportunity to develop my game more than I could at Fremantle.

"It's coincided a bit with age too. You get to a point where your responsibilities and your priorities become a bit clearer, and I think that's been a big thing for me."

As a Western Australian native, Medhurst relishes the opportunity to get home every chance he can.

He hasn't been back since the split round, and emphasised his excitement at returning to Perth to meet his former teammates on their soil for the first time.

He also said it's been interesting having to deal with the situation of watching his friends at Fremantle suffer a disappointing season, while he's looking at playing finals for the second year running.

"Each time [I play them], it's getting easier. The first time it was just weird looking around at these guys who I'd played with for five years who are now on the opposition, or I am anyway," he said.

"I hope they do well, not this week, but it's hard to see people that you're close to struggling with what they've been going through so I wish them all the best.

"But, I'd rather be in my shoes with finals on the agenda."

Medhurst has played against Fremantle twice since crossing to Collingwood, but said this week's battle will have an additional bit of spice to it as he's the one travelling across the Nullarbor.

"I've got some family there to cheer me on, so I'm looking forward to it. I get to see my little brother and sisters and mates," he said.

"It's interesting [what the reaction will be]. Anyone who's up to speed on the dynamics of the trade that went through will know I didn't really have a whole heap of say in what went on.

"If people bear that in mind, I think they'll go easy on me. I wouldn't want to be sitting next to my mum though if they do boo, because they could end up with a lap full of chips or a chicken salad on them."

As one of the most consistent Magpies this year, Medhurst will be high among the votes come Copeland Trophy night at the season's culmination. His tip, however, is Alan Didak, Dane Swan or Travis Cloke instead, but still admitted he'd take a lot out of being awarded the club best and fairest if it's his name called.

"It would be great to win it. If someone had said a couple of years ago, 'You're going to win a best and fairest, or be in the mix', I would have thought I've made the transition back to WAFL footy pretty well," he said.

"I'm pretty excited about it, but I'm also excited about the next two weeks."

And how does he feel about his Collingwood career in general, which has recently been extended contractually by another two years?

"It's been good; 18 months on, it's definitely the best move I could have made, footy-wise," he said.

"I'm loving my time here and I'm looking forward to another two years."