Collingwood players are safer than the club’s coaches this off-season

COLLINGWOOD is expected to make minimal changes to its playing list this off-season as the fans await a decision on Nathan Buckley’s future.

Nathan Buckley at the MCG on Saturday. Picture: Alex Coppel

COLLINGWOOD’S underperforming players will attend exit interviews on Monday with more security than the club’s coaches and support staff.

The Pies said on Sunday a decision on coach Nathan Buckley was expected within 48 hours, as the board considered Tuesday’s review document.

The general consensus is Buckley is favoured to win an extension but offering him a two-year deal would go against the club’s stated policy of one-year coaching extensions.

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If the Pies handed Buckley a two-year extension then sacked him next year it would cost them a payout as well as having to pay the AFL money for exceeding the football department salary cap.

The entire club gathered at the Holden Centre on Saturday night for a club function after a fourth season out of the finals.

But after turning over 13 players last summer the Pies are expected to make minimal changes to their list in the upcoming trade period.

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

The Pies will hope to secure Adelaide defender Jake Lever but will otherwise retain the young list Buckley believes can make significant improvement next year.

Half the list will present for exit interviews Monday and half on Tuesday, with the Pies one club who does not hold a Mad Monday function.

Ben Sinclair is out of contract after a year ruined by hamstring issues, as is small forward Jarryd Blair.

Tyson Goldsack and Tom Phillips are expected to sign new deals, while Jesse White has retired.

Mason Cox will consider his options after nine games this year, but he and re-signed ruckman Brodie Grundy combined well together in the win over Melbourne.

Brenton Sanderson, contracted for 2018 along with Brad Gotch, said on Saturday the assistants would know on Monday or Tuesday if they were to be moved on.

Scott Burns will move to Hawthorn while Robert Harvey has been linked to a return to VFL coaching with Frankston.

Frankston general manager Gary Buckenara said on Sunday there had been no contact with the Saints legend but the club would be interested in his services.

The AFL Coaches Association has urged aspiring senior coaches to find a way to coach their own team as a priority.

“Certainly there would be interest from our point of view. He has been an assistant for a while and you can get pigeonholed unless you coach your own team,’’ Buckenara said.

“We saw Luke Beveridge and Alastair Clarkson coaching their own teams. We have had no contact with him, we only recently found out he isn’t required at Collingwood.

“But if Robert is interested certainly we would be interested to talk to him and gauge his interest.”

Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney has been linked to the Pies, who are considering splitting their list management and recruiting roles.

Fitness boss Bill Davoren, list manager Derek Hine and Buckley will all be desperate to find out what the club has in store for them.