Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo backs hard-line stance of coach Nathan Buckley

ALEX Fasolo says Collingwood players are ready to embrace Nathan Buckley's hard-line vision to become the AFL's dominant team.

Girls from St Martins of Tours Rosanna school pitted their skills against AFL powerhouse Collingwood today, with (from left) Elisa Spina, Anna Burrows, Alex Fasolo, Grace Roberts and Sophie Okalyi taking on Magpies star Alex Fasolo. Picture: Jon Hargest

LIVEWIRE forward Alex Fasolo says Collingwood players are ready to embrace Nathan Buckley's hard-line vision to become the AFL's most dominant team.

Fasolo has recovered from a worrying navicular foot fracture to start a pre-season he hopes will take him into the midfield next season.

His surgeon is confident the surgically repaired joint will hold up after he played just three 2013 games, with the 21-year-old already throwing himself into full training.

News_Rich_Media: Fasolo ready to fire

Fasolo denies players are "on notice" after the departures of Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas, saying they are prepared to follow coach Buckley's lead.

"It has been quite well documented there are a fair few different personnel around the ground this year and a lot of big personalities have moved on, but that's the nature of the business,'' he said.

"It is obvious that Bucks had got a vision in his mind and he's going to create an environment for players to get the best out of themselves. The end goal is to be the best team in the competition.

"The beauty about Nathan is everyone knows exactly what he wants. There is no grey area. He has told us what he wants and if you are not buying into that, you don't play."

PIES CHASE JOKER IN DRAFT PACK

DRAFT REWIND: PENDLES KING OF 2005 CLASS

Watch the 2013 AFL Draft LIVE on FOX FOOTY from 7pm AEDT on Thursday

Fasolo said the "rat pack" mentality was overstated: "I reckon the rat pack is a myth, but me and Nathan get along very well. Everyone knows the career Nathan had as a player. He didn't do too much wrong. He is a good coach to get around."

Since Fasolo's last game in Round 5, Jamie Elliott has emerged to fulfil a similar role as a mid-sized lead-up forward.

He welcomes the increased selection pressure given the addition of Jesse White and Tony Armstrong, but also wants to add extra strings to his bow.

"My foot is going really well. It was just a bit of overuse and genetics, but I have a couple of screws in it now after surgery and so far, so good.

"The way the modern game is going you can't just be a forward or back, you need another dimension to your game. I would like to think at some stage next year I could push into the midfield. As a junior I played a fair bit in the midfield and as I got older I got pushed into the forward line. As long as I build my tank and develop more as a player there is no reason why I can't push in there."

The Pies are yet to decide on their 2014 captain, but Fasolo said whoever was chosen would represent the club with aplomb.

"That is our biggest strength - guys like Nick Maxwell and Scott Pendlebury and Luke Ball and Harry O'Brien who are great leaders. The leadership group won't change much and I don't know what they will do with the captain, but I am sure any of those guys would be a sensational captain."