AFL legend says Nathan Buckley needs to own mistakes

NATHAN Buckley is fighting to save his job at Collingwood, but AFL expert David King says he’s a dead man walking.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.

AFL expert David King says Nathan Buckley need only point the finger at one man for Collingwood’s current issues - himself.

The Magpies currently sit 13th on the AFL ladder, having won just one game so far this season and the knives are quickly sharpening for Buckley.

King says Buckley cannot blame outside factors, such as the club having five different football managers in five seasons, saying he must own the decisions he has made since taking over the Collingwood senior coaching role from Mick Malthouse in 2012.

“When Nathan took the job in 2012, they were the third youngest team. The second youngest was the Gold Coast and the third youngest was GWS,” King told AFL 360.

“Whatever list is it right now, it is all his (Buckley), all his. So I don’t give any grace for the recruits, or the fact that they don’t have a forward fifty of any note or a defensive post. They win a heap of footy and don’t get on the scoreboard.”

Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley walks after another defeat.

Buckley has moved players on, trading for the likes of rising stars Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams, along with experienced star Daniel Wells.

Arguably Heath Shaw and Travis Cloke are playing better football since they exited the Magpies, while Dayne Beams is another who has continued to prosper since joining Brisbane.

All three are players perhaps Buckley would like to take back to fix his ailing football side, and King says those mistakes are ones the Magpies legend must own.

“It’s the worst forward fifty ever recorded by Champion Data, there’s no arguing the numbers. There’s no arguing the build. I don’t know where he is, you can wait five, six, seven weeks but nothing is going to change,” King said.

“They’re always capable of playing good footy, but you’re looking at 2017 in isolation. It’s the whole build, the vision, it’s not tomorrow, it’s not next week, it’s the vision.

“Alastair Clarkson said get rid of him, get a draft pick, get rid of him get a pick, OK let’s flip it — picks for players. Burgoyne, Hale, Gibson — and actually build this team that can win us a flag.

“Not a team that can be competitive or get us someone near the eight. It’s not about getting into the eight, it’s about winning flags.

“He might go on an enormous run and go six of eight and they may limp into the finals, but what does it do? To me it’s building to win flags and this is nowhere near it.”

Eddie McGuire President of the Collingwood Football Club and Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley.

While King was critical of Buckley, AFL premiership winner Mark Thompson said the Collingwood coach must rely on his relationship with his players should he wish to fight for his job.

Thompson urged Buckley to trust his instincts and not go away from his trusted methods, despite the mounting pressure.

“I know the pressure he’s under right now, it’s horrendous. Let him do it his way,” Thompson told AFL 360.

“What he’s got to do, if he wants to keep his job, he’s got to let all that go and get to his players.

“No matter how much pressure you’re under mate, you’ve got to get to your players. They don’t deliberately go out and lose, but they’re going to be the ones that save your job.”

Originally published as AFL legend says Nathan Buckley needs to own mistakes