There is no disputing Nathan Buckley’s ability as a player. Despite not winning a premiership, he was a Norm Smith Medallist and a Brownlow Medallist, seven-time All Australian, and a Rising Star.
Taking over as coach from Mick Malthouse was always going to be a tough gig and Buckley was always going to be in his predecessor’s shadow for a while.
Of course, Buckley was the forward coach for the Magpies when they won the premiership in Malthouse’s second-last season at Collingwood.
After a number of relatively poor seasons, the Pies had a robust review at the end of last year, after which Buckley managed to keep his job. However, he has to take some of the blame for a terrible 2017.
I empathise with Buckley – his is maybe the toughest gig in the AFL – however, he has yet to prove that he is the right man to lead the Pies.
My Magpies team for 2018
B: Tom Langdon Tyson Goldsack Matthew Scharenberg
HB: Josh Smith Darcy Moore Brayden Maynard
C: Jeremy Howe Jack Crisp Will Hoskin-Elliott
HF: Tim Broomhead Ben Reid Steele Sidebottom
FF: Josh Daicos, Brodie Grundy Callum Brown
Foll: Mason Cox Taylor Adams Scott Pendlebury
Int: Levi Greenwood Tom Phillips James Aish Adam Treloar
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Collingwood have the best midfield in the competition – along with the Adelaide Crows – and Adam Trealor and Taylor Adams have strengthened that department even more.
The fullback line are all there on merit.
The move of Darcy Moore to defence is a good one. I would also put Brayden Maynard on the half back line, he is more than capable of playing the quarter back role, while Josh Smith is an underrated defender capable of generating run.
Jeremy Howe and Will Hoskin-Elliot deserve the freedom of playing off a wing, while Jack Crisp should get a shot to show his wares through the middle of the ground.
Tim Broomhead and Steele Sidebottom are capable of playing the high half forward role, while Ben Reid can lead up to the wing and is also able to switch to the back line if needed.
Buckley should pump some youth into the forward line, with Josh Daicos and Callum Brown warranting an opportunity in the forward pocket. Brodie Grundy has the ability to kick goals and should be trialled at full forward.
Brodie Grundy (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Mason Cox is the Magpies’ best option in the ruck – he is a super athlete. Taylor Adams starting in the midfield is a no brainer, so is Scott Pendlebury.
I have listed Adam Treloar as the last player on the interchange bench, as he would be dangerous if he played on the burst and was used cleverly by the match committee. Levi Greenwood is capable of playing as a tagger, Tom Phillips can play a role on the half forward flank, while James Aish can play through the midfield.
The Magpies have already lost Jordan De Goey to an off the field incident, who is a prodigious talent, but as a club you have to stand for something, so it was the right decision to suspend him.
It is going to be a challenging year for Nathan Buckley and the coaching staff. The coach needs to prove that re-signing him was the right move.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
I didn’t refer to Buckley as the best coach in the competition. In fact I questioned whether he can prove that resigning him was the correct decision. In fact I said: “he has to take some of the blame for a terrible 2017.” Also, the heading says it all. However, I would like to see him succeed and to do what Hardwick did. I didn’t say that Collingwood have the best list, I said the following: “Collingwood have the best midfield in the competition- along with the Adelaide Crows.” I merely named my best 22 from the current Magpies list.
mattyb
Guest
"Stopped reading at this point" But left a comment anyway. "Not interested" But interested enough to leave a comment anyway.
truetigerfan
Guest
'Collingwood have the best midfield in the competition . . . ' Stopped reading at this point. How outrageous! Best coach in the comp? Best list? How can authors keep talking this rabble up? Not interested.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Collingwood first 22 does not fill me with any sort of anxiety, bottom 5 is a distinct possibility. Best midfield in the league??? How? I'd rate Brisbane's midfield higher than them.
Lee
Guest
Even Sir Alex Ferguson battled at Manchester United to start with, so there may be some hope for Buckley.
Patrick
Roar Pro
Interesting that you have Cox over Grundy in the ruck. A few random observations: I think that Collingwood have been too midfield heavy in their recruiting in recent seasons, with Treloar, Adams, Crisp, and Wells all coming to the club. As a result, they have limited key position stocks. I think Darcy Moore is at a stage where he should be the second tall forward. Prior to Adelaide picking up Gibbs and Gibson I viewed them as the contrast to the Pies, with a midfield slightly light on, but brilliant key position players at both ends, which clearly yielded better results. Ultimately, Richmond showed that a good gameplan can cover a lack of tall forwards, however the key difference is that Richmond has outstanding key defenders. Sam Murray was a much spoken about addition, and I think that given what was sacrificed to acquire him, he must be given a chance. Unfortunately at 187cm, he’s not exactly key position. In short, I think that Buckley hasn’t been helped by poor recruiting. Now that he’s been backed as coach, they must give him a chance, and help him out by recruiting some decent talls, which as coach Buckley must push for.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
To be fair, Collingwood's midfield is far, far from the worst. They've got a lot of talent. Just inconsistent, occasionally mediocre talent.
Cat
Roar Guru
I'd say Sydney could make a good case as well.
peter chrisp
Guest
Cat being a Pies supporter have to agree
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Ha, yup. You could even consider my team to have a better midfield. Certainly your team, as well.
Cat
Roar Guru
PhillK
Guest
The Collingwood midfield is impressive, on face value. The key is getting it to consistently perform to its potential.
1DER
Guest
Doubt that Collingwood have the best midfield in the competition. Definitely behind Adelaide, GWS and Port Adelaide. They are a poor centre clearance side and while they get plenty of the ball they are middle of road for defensive pressure, contested positions and tackling. Their inside midfield group ends with Pendlebury, Adams and Treloar. Hard to fathom that a side can get so much of the ball and be very average. Number 1 team for uncontested possessions and marks says it all.
PeteB
Guest
Yeah Treloars disposal might be ordinary but he just has to start on the ground. I’m positive that Buckley was only given another chance in the hope that he can somehow pull off a Hardwick. Very unlikely to happen.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Nice and fair write up, Doran. Collingwood is definitely going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch this year. It really is last chance saloon for Buckley if another disappointing year beckons. Adam Treloar on the bench instead of starting in the midfield seems foreign to me. I just can't see that regularly occurring. Also, is Darcy Moore moving to the backline something of the author's cognition, or is that something that's actually occurred/will occur.