JACK Watts is close to coming to terms with Melbourne, according to CEO Peter Jackson.
However unrestricted free agent Colin Sylvia needs more time to make up his mind on whether he wants to stay at the club in 2014.
The two out-of-contract Demons are yet to put pen to paper but new coach Paul Roos has declared them required players and all indications are that Watts will stay.
"We're close with some deals on Jack Watts. Col Sylvia is still looking for a bit more time but I hope I hope Col jumps on the bandwagon," Jackson told 3AW's Sports Today. "He has probably had a rough journey with Melbourne along the way since his career started …[there's] never a better time to be on board I wouldn't have thought."
Sylvia, 27, has played in just 48 wins in 157 games with the Demons since he made his debut in 2004. The talented midfielder has become more consistent in recent seasons but he is yet to place in the club's best and fairest throughout his career.
Watts put talks on hold until the end of the season wanting to get a better sense of the direction the club was heading before committing. The No.1 draft pick from 2008 was in demand from other clubs and showed reasonable form towards the end of the season.
Watts, 22, has played 73 games with Melbourne since his much-hyped debut against Collingwood on the Queen's Birthday in 2009.
Jackson said the club accepted the AFL Commission's decision on Monday not to award the club a priority pick and would get on with the business of developing its list.
He said it was no secret the club needed midfielders but it was restricted in what it could afford to offer as it wasn't able to pay 100 percent of the salary cap at the moment.
"That is the reality and the AFL know that and that is restricting what we can do and we have got to be sensible about that," Jackson said.
The Demons have said they are prepared to trade the No.2 selection if it can bring in immediate talent however it would be unlikely to do so unless it can secure a collection of talented young midfielders.
Jackson indicated they are likely to go after midfielders from strong clubs who are seeking opportunities.
"The players who perhaps can't get a game with some very good midfields around the place," Jackson said.
One quality midfielder in the line-up is dual best and fairest winner Nathan Jones. Jones told 3AW he had not specifically discussed who would be captain in 2014 under Roos but more the model and structure likely to be implemented.
Jones said the Leading Teams program would be introduced as Roos already flagged.
"Obviously we'll go through that process and over time we'll work out a leadership group and from there they will appoint a captain," Jones said.
Roos is being very active in meeting managers of current and prospective players. He visited Perth last Tuesday to meet with Jesse Hogan's management to map out his plan to the 18-year-old and his representatives.
