Taylor Adams says Collingwood players let coach Nathan Buckley down in loss to Richmond

COLLINGWOOD players let under-pressure coach Nathan Buckley down in the loss to Richmond on Thursday night, with the vice-captain accusing the team of complacency.

Taylor Adams says the Pies won’t wilt under the pressure of the uncertainty of Nathan Buckley’s coaching future.

COLLINGWOOD star Taylor Adams says the players let Nathan Buckley down on Thursday night as the spotlight intensifies on the out-of-contract coach.

The Magpies have started a season 0-2 for the first time since 2005 with both losses marred by deplorable ball use and unforgivable misses in front of goal.

The Pies have converted a miserable 8.14 from 24 set-shots in the opening two rounds.

Against Richmond they kicked at just 66 per cent efficiency in the back half, two per cent below the season average of the worst-performed club in 2016 — Port Adelaide.

In the 19-point defeat they also conceded 27 more points on turnover compared to Richmond, with Buckley and Adams critical of bland ball movement.

Alex Fasolo has been the biggest culprit in front of the sticks, registering 1.5 from set-shots this season.

Alex Fasolo has kicked just one goal from six set shot opportunities in the opening two rounds. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Adams accused his teammates of complacency after they kicked 17 points clear in the third quarter.

“We almost thought it was just going to happen for us,” the vice-captain told the Herald Sun.

“Our ball movement was non-existent. I’m just flat because I know it’s not us. This is so far away from the brand of footy we know we can play.

“Our basic skill errors hurt us and we’ve got to work on our connection from our mids and high backs to our forward line.”

Buckley boldly declared last year his job hinged on returning the Magpies to finals, but Adams said the Magpies wouldn’t crack under the looming pressure.

REPORT: TIGERS MAKE WASTEFUL PIES PAY

BUCKLEY: POOR SKILLS HURT US AGAIN

“We know this is not us. He’ll probably cop some heat, so will we,” Adams said.

“I don’t think it’s going to bother us too much. Externally whatever is said is said — that’s the media’s job and it’s their right to have an opinion.

“We certainly let Bucks down, and the whole footy club down, as a playing group. We performed at a level that we don’t think is acceptable, regardless of what Bucks thinks.”

In the past decade, 48 clubs have started 0-2 with only one finishing in the top eight — Sydney in 2007.

Taylor Adams says the Pies won’t wilt under the pressure of the uncertainty of Nathan Buckley’s coaching future.

Magpies great Tony Shaw leapt to Buckley’s defence, while the coach called for calm when asked about his future.

“We’re two rounds in. Let’s take a breath,” Buckley said.

“We had our struggles forward of the ball again. Our ball use was not what we train.

“We were far more up and down the line than we’d like to be. We just didn’t play with the dare that we’d like to.”

Shaw tweeted: “Half these players’ skill faults are nearly uncoachable” and asked if Buckley needed to hold Fasolo’s hand when he kicked for goal.

Win,lose or draw with 11 mins to go last quarter don't blame Bucks. Half these players skill faults are nearly uncoachable.

— Tony Shaw (@TonyShaw22) March 30, 2017

New Magpies football boss Geoff Walsh said he was the “key person” the Collingwood board would rely on for a Buckley verdict.

“I don’t shy away from that and nor will Nathan. Results ... will dictate everyone’s destiny,” Walsh told 3AW before the loss to the Tigers.

Adams said next week’s trip to Sydney after an eight-day break would help boost spirits.

“It might be good for us to get out of Melbourne and get around each other and really bond,” he said.

“You just spend a lot of time with your teammates. A change of scenery and it’s a beautiful ground up there at the SCG.”

Originally published as Taylor Adams says Collingwood players let coach Nathan Buckley down in loss to Richmond