Nathan Buckley silent on coaching future, upbeat about Collingwood youth after Hawks whack Pies

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has refused to comment on his future, but says the young Magpies were learning harsh lessons that will lead to future success.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has plenty on his mind after another Collingwood loss. Picture: AAP

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says the club’s youngsters are learning some harsh lessons this season that will lead to future success after another loss to Hawthorn.

Buckley said the Magpies were punished from stoppages and were made to pay for a poor patch either side of the quarter-time break.

The 24-point defeat leaves Collingwood at 5-9 and needing a significant turnaround to realise its finals ambitions this season.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has plenty on his mind after another Collingwood loss. Picture: AAP

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Buckley acknowledged the Pies had some list management holes to fill but was adamant they had played some “really good footy” over the last two months.

However he said the team had a core group of young players who were learning what was required to become a top side this season.

“The reality is we are a side coming from a fair way back, with youth, to try and grow and develop,” Buckley said.

“We haven’t met expectations in regards to our progress and our growth. Do we just pack up, do we just give up on it?

“We are playing a lot of young players and they are getting a lot of exposure and they’re performing pretty well.

“To get that last couple of per cent, maybe this is part of the journey they need to go through to realise how tough the comp is.

“And how quickly 5-9 can come about when they don’t take their chances.”

Darcy Moore kicked a goal, but struggled with hamstring tightness later in the game. Picture: Getty Images

Buckley said Darcy Moore would have scans on some hamstring tightness to determine his availability for next weekend’s game against Essendon.

Tyson Goldsack is also in doubt after being concussed and cracking his nose.

Buckley refused to comment on his own future today after saying last year he was “on the hook” if the team missed finals for a fourth consecutive year.

He said the team had a bright future and pointed to the break out game of Jordan De Goey yesterday as one of the exciting talents.

“I think Collingwood supporters should be excited about what they see on field because we have got some players who are going to take this club forward and they’re learning some hard lessons right now but they will be better for it.

“Talk to any person who has been in the game for a long time, late 20s is when you play your prime footy.

“We have got so many players that are still finding their best footy and all of this is part of that pain and process you go through to realise the game is and it’s all part of developing the hardness you need.”

Tyson Goldsack suffered a bad head knock and is no certainty to lineup next week, amid fears of concussion. Picture: Michael Klein

Buckley said the Pies were unable to defend Hawthorn out of the stoppage.

“We were hot and cold today. We had some good moments and some bad moments, and maybe Hawthorn say the same thing,” he said.

“Hawthorn was able to stay the course longer. Ultimately we came in as the second best stoppage and they were the 17th best stoppage side and we got outscored by eight goals at stoppage and five goals from centre bounce.

“So it was fairly isolated from a scoreboard perspective where the game was won and lost. It was largely due to stoppage.”