Collingwood can fix accuracy issues, says ex-goalkicking coach Ben Dixon

COLLINGWOOD’S accuracy has plummeted since the departure of goal­kicking coach Ben Dixon, but he says the Magpies’ woes in front of goal are fixable.

Magpies spearhead Darcy Moore is one of the club’s most accurate shots at goal. Picture: Getty Images

FORMER Collingwood goal­kicking coach Ben Dixon says the Magpies’ accuracy woes are fixable.

The ex-Hawthorn sharpshooter worked with Collingwood’s forwards last year but their goalkicking accuracy from all shots has plummeted from ninth to 17th in the league since his departure.

Small forwards Alex Fasolo and Tim Broomhead, Fremantle recruit Chris Mayne and midfielder Levi Greenwood have been the most off target.

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Star forward Darcy Moore has been one of the club’s most accurate shots in recent years (9.3 in 2015 and 24.14 last season) but even his aim has taken a hit with a return of 11.10 so far this season.

The Pies’ inaccuracy — they have kicked 121.138 in 2018 — is a threat to their finals hopes, and they will need to win at least eight of their remaining 12 games.

Chris Mayne is among the culprits in front of goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Dixon said goal­kicking was a much-neglected skill.

“It is the area of the game that continually gets overlooked,” he said.

“It is a marginal gain that can either help you win or lose games of footy, cost you a top-four or top-eight berth and cost players their careers.

“People can blame it on fatigue and on rule changes or the state of play but ultimately good teams and good clubs put the right program in place to eliminate the margin for error.”

Collingwood’s new forwards coach Brenton Sanderson has assumed responsibility for goalkicking.

Carlton’s Levi Casboult is one of the game’smost accurate goalkickers with 17.4 this season, after resuming his partnership with kicking mentor Saverio Rocca late last year.

Buckley lamented the Pies’ inaccuracy again on Sunday admitting the forwards failed to “fill their boots” in the 45-point win over Brisbane Lions at the MCG.

“It (inaccuracy) has been pretty consistent over a long period of time (this season),’’ he said.

Dixon, who kicked 282 goals in 203 AFL games, said he thought the goalkicking program was delivering decent results last year.

“I thought there were some really good signs last year but that role requires a couple of days a week to get the full ­benefit,” he said.