Collingwood insists it has not made a call on out-of-contract coach Nathan Buckley

IT’S the stat that proves the players are committed to their coach and Nathan Buckley didn’t look like a coach who was about to be sacked after his team’s memorable win.

Nathan Buckley in the Collingwood rooms after the match. Picture: Alex Coppel

COLLINGWOOD insists it has not made a call on out-of-contract coach Nathan Buckley.

But there were good vibrations for “Bucks” at the MCG on Saturday.

After closing a season by singing the song for the first time since the 2010 premiership, players and powerbrokers were whisked behind closed doors.

What was said couldn’t be heard. But several rounds of applause could be. Then, Buckley fronted the media for a lengthy 14-minute press conference.

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Buckley’s class, honesty and insight was in line with his media performances all season.

It was nothing new. He is a coach who has always commanded respect and given respect.

He certainly did not sound like a club legend who had coached his last game at the place he loves.

The Magpies hold the smallest average losing margin of any club this year. Seven of their defeats have come by less than 20 points and none have hit 40 points.

That shows a playing list that is committed to its coach.

Collingwood fans show their support for Nathan Buckley. Picture: Getty Images

The Magpies are No.1 on the contested footy ladder, albeit low on looseball gets which some analysts regard as a quality measure.

Buckley scored a tactical victory when he threw Brayden Maynard into the centre against Melbourne. He started tremendously and finished with career-highs for contested possessions and disposals.

Buckley has praised the consistent effort from his players all season.

He spoke of the need to find an extra two or three goals per game. But also of the need to aspire for more than just reaching September.

He praised the club’s development team for preparing lightly-framed father-sons and footy fanatics Callum Brown and Josh Daicos for senior games.

He highlighted ruckman Brodie Grundy’s elevation from the very good to the elite and the inner growth of Jeremy Howe’s leadership, the high-flyer earning a rare promotion to an official role mid-season.

“We just care for each other better than we have in the past,” Buckley noted.

It was an important observation.

Assistants Brenton Sanderson and Bradley Gotch are the only coaches at Collingwood with contracts for next season, and all others will be told their fate by Tuesday.

Scott Burns is assured a job at Hawthorn and Buckley spoke of the inevitable change set to sweep through.

Will Buckley be part of the overhaul, or will he keep his job?

“I have a hope. I have a hope,” he said.

Nathan Buckley with his wife Tania after Collingwood’s win. Picture: AFL Media

The ‘Collingwood’ chant echoed around the MCG in the final quarter as they celebrated an impressive win.

As Mick Malthouse’s tenure came to a close, he couldn’t help but become emotional in his final two games.

Buckley and Malthouse are different breeds.

But composed and calculated, Buckley looked far from a man on death row.