Retired Western Bulldog Matthew Boyd meets with Nathan Buckley about role at Collingwood
COLLINGWOOD has offered Anthony Rocca a chance to remain part of Nathan Buckley’s revamped coaching group. Buckley has also met with Matthew Boyd.
Collingwood
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COLLINGWOOD has offered Anthony Rocca a chance to remain part of Nathan Buckley’s revamped coaching group.
The development coach has been offered a part-time role, including a combination of ruck coach and match-day operations from the bench.
The goalkicking great was a full-time employee but has been offered this new part-time position.
The Herald Sun understands Rocca is yet to accept the job as he weighs up other coaching opportunities at rival clubs.
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Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs great Matthew Boyd on Wednesday met Buckley about his coaching aspirations.
The Magpies on Wednesday cut ties with high performance boss Bill Davoren and development coach and former star Anthony Rocca as change sweeps through the club’s football department.
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Brenton Sanderson and Robert Harvey will continue in their roles as assistant coaches, while former Pie Tarkyn Lockyer will remain in an expanded academy role.
Jared Rivers, who has coached Collingwood’s VFL side will also stay.
Buckley and Boyd caught up in a Melbourne cafe to discuss the retired Bulldog’s future in the game as he prepares to play in Sunday’s VFL elimination final for Footscray.
While there has been no formal offer from Collingwood, the decorated Dog and three-time best and fairest winner looms as a possible addition to Buckley’s new-look coaching set up for next year.
The retired premiership star and last year’s All-Australian defender is highly regarded in the football industry for his football knowledge and leadership.
The Herald Sun understands Buckley and Boyd were keen to catch up after Boyd this month expressed his interest in a coaching career.
The highly-respected veteran and former club captain would bring a fresh set of eyes and a wealth of knowledge and experience from last year’s premier to Collingwood.
The Pies are likely to canvass a number of candidates to help bolster their tactical acumen and development program.
Boyd, 35, is lauded for his demanding approach and would have great understanding of modern tactics and trends in the game.
Collingwood is already looking for a new midfield coach to replace Scott Burns and has declared it will revamp its football department with a beefed-up support network for Buckley.
Boyd carved out a wonderful 292-game career, the most ever by a rookie, and would bring intimate stoppage knowledge from his stellar 12 years in the midfield.
Dogs’ senior coach Luke Beveridge moved him onto a half back flank in 2015, where he won a third All-Australian guernsey last season.
Collingwood assistant Brenton Sanderson and academy coach Brad Gotch are Buckley’s only contracted lieutenants for next year.
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