Pressure on Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley after horror start

Following Collingwood’s woeful defeat on Saturday evening, footy pundits are calling on the powerhouse club to make some changes.

Scott Pendlebury and Chris Mayne of the Magpies.

Collingwood endured a chaotic off-season, but the club’s woes unfortunately look set to continue.

A tumultuous trade period left the Magpies without star players Adam Treloar and Jaidyn Stephenson, and Eddie McGuire stepped down as President after the “Do Better” report’s findings were made public.

And one month into the AFL premiership, it’s clear that Collingwood is facing some on-field challenges as well.

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An injury-riddled GWS Giants outfit toppled the Magpies 14.6 (90) to 9.6 (60) on Saturday evening in a shock upset at the MCG.

Collingwood’s season record now stands at 1-3, and the club risks missing the finals series for the first time since 2017.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley talks to his players.

Speaking to reporters after the defeat, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley hinted he would swing the axe ahead of next weekend’s blockbuster clash against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.

“You can’t go 1-3 and sit on your hands,” Buckley told reporters.

“We think we’ve picked the best sides to get results, and we haven’t.

“So we’ve got to look at changes. Whether that’s the way we play, whether we strip things back, the way we prepare or personnel, there’s plenty of things that will be assessed in that regard.

“But we’ve got six days to turn around and get over to Perth.

“There’s still some things that we’re doing okay — but not enough, clearly.”

This has been completely directionless so far from Collingwood. #AFLPiesGiants

— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) April 10, 2021

Buckley’s contract expires at the end of the year, and Essendon great Matthew Lloyd warned he might not be retained if Collingwood fails to make the finals series.

“They go to Perth to play the West Coast Eagles and I think they will be one and four,” Lloyd told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“That probably puts them just about out of the finals.

“When you leave your coach unsigned, which is very rare, and they don’t make the finals and he’s been there for ten years, my feeling is it’s a 50/50 line ball.

“But my guess is he won’t coach Collingwood next year based on not making the finals, leaving the coach out of contract — I think they will be definitely looking around to see if there’s a better option.”

"When you leave your coach unsigned, which is very rare, and they don't make the finals and he's been there for ten years, my feeling is it's a 50/50 line ball, but my guess is he won't coach Collingwood next year."@matthewlloyd18 on Nathan Buckley.#9AFLSFS | Watch @channel9pic.twitter.com/Y6EVMnVmvu

— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 11, 2021

READ MORE: West Coast’s ugly capitulation

Sports broadcaster Alister Nicholson echoed Lloyd’s comments on ABC’s Offsiders, arguing Collingwood should consider giving their younger talent some exposure.

“Collingwood to start the season one and three. Clearly they felt like they’re in and around it again this year. There’s the opportunity to rise up the ladder, maybe contend that,” Nicholson said on Sunday morning.

“They look a long way off it at the moment, and players that you would expect to play better have not measured up to this point.

“Nathan Buckley is in the last year of his contract at Collingwood. Eddie McGuire, one of his great supporters, is no longer there. This is a fascinating year for Collingwood. What do they do now?

“Players like Scott Pendlebury, over 300 games, highly experienced player and captain of the club would have felt like they were still around the mark. I think they’re going to have to reassess and we’re going to see more young players come through the team.

“At the moment, Collingwood does not look like a team to contend.”

Originally published as Pressure on Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley after horror start