Collingwood end of season review: How Jay Clark would fix the Magpies

WHAT is the quickest way to get Collingwood back into the finals? How about adding one of the best key forwards in the game this off-season. Read how JAY CLARK would fix the Pies.

IT was a rollercoaster 2017 season for Collingwood with massive highs and lows both on and off the field.

But with Nathan Buckley now confirmed as the coach for at least the next two years, the Magpies can start moving forwards.

And who should be part of that move?

Herald Sun footy reporter Jay Clark explains how he would fix the Magpies.

GARY BUCKENARA: WHAT ARE PIES’ TRADE NEEDS

ROO FIX: HOW TO IMPROVE THE ROOS IN 2018

BLUES FIX: HOW TO IMPROVE THE BLUES IN 2018

THE SEASON ROUND UP

The damage was done in the first eight rounds as Collingwood lurched to a 2-6 record without Daniel Wells and Jamie Elliott. When the pressure was on, the Pies failed to deliver upon their potential and this was ultimately a disappointing year, aside from a late-season revival which helped save Nathan Buckley’s job. What we know is that Collingwood can challenge the top-weights. The Pies beat Geelong, Sydney and drew with Adelaide. But a three-week poor patch after the bye killed off their finals hopes and the forward line looked much more potent with Ben Reid up there in the last two months.

Daniel Wells had a delayed start to the season. Picture: Michael Klein

THE PROBLEMS

There are a few. Collingwood desperately needs another quality big man, such as Tom Lynch, to play key forward, or a top-line defender, Jake Lever, to shore-up the defence. But the Pies also have a small man issue in the forward half. The Pies were often ranked bottom-four for ground ball gets inside 50m throughout the year. Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliott are more marking forwards than traditional small forwards who crumb. The midfield mix also needs a set of fresh eyes to try and extract the best out of a superstar combination.

THE SOLUTION

We said the same thing last year, but improving the connection between the midfield and the forward line must be the top priority over summer. Ball use was a big headache and the Pies regularly found themselves in winning positions only to cough the ball up and get whacked on the scoreboard in the second half of games. The draw with Adelaide and the narrow loss to Melbourne were prime examples. That may be a maturity thing and general player and skill development. But they look better when they attack with pace rather than go slow and wide across half back. Daniel Wells makes a huge difference to their flow of ball movement.

THE TARGET

It’s clear the Pies wat to inject fresh talent into the coaches box to build their tactical and player development acumen. One criticism of the Pies this year was the club took a long time to swing Ben Reid into attack, and even try Darcy Moore in defence. Brayden Maynard showed some encouraging signs in an onball role in the last game of the season. It seems the Pies want another one or two top-line assistant coaches to support Nathan Buckley over summer and indeed on game day. Clearly, the players have strong belief in the senior coach and showed that in the last two months of the season.

THE DREAM/BLUE SKY IDEA

Tom Lynch might be wondering whether he is going to waste his career at Gold Coast. He is a free agent at the end of next year but a club like Collingwood would already be testing the temperature now. A trade in this year’s exchange period is not out of the question. Collingwood have monitored Lynch closely for years and a forward line featuring Moore, Elliott, Fasolo and Lynch would be top-four material. Get Eddie and Bucks on a plane to the Goldie, stat.

THE COACH

Nathan Buckley has shown remarkable class and resilience this year. He was under enormous pressure and scrutiny and somehow maintained his nerve and composure all season. It is a huge credit to him and the players’ helped save his skin with some much-improved performances in the last two months. Now he has two more years to correct the year on year downturn Collingwood has endured under his control. Clearly, there are many mitigating factors such as the list rebuild, the lack of consistency in the football manager’s position, over-inflated on-field expectations and injuries. It all conspired against him at times and Buckley himself has said he has worked on and improved his player relationships. He deserved another crack at it.

Are the Magpies already chasing Tom Lynch? Picture: Getty Images

THE DELISTINGS

Jesse White has retired, defender Jackson Ramsay has maybe run out of chances and the Pies will undoubtedly see if there is any trade interest in Chris Mayne. He is contracted for another three seasons at Collingwood on $500,000 a year and will likely struggle to get many more senior opportunities there. We wouldn’t be surprised if the Pies considered paying him out to create another spot on the list. Tim Broomhead, Adam Oxley and Lachlan Keeffe may also look elsewhere. Mason Cox is out of contract and is considering a move for more opportunity. It would be a considerable blow if he left the Pies due its shortfall in the big man department.