Pies loss is no reflection on Buckley
Posted by Brent DiamondApr 14. 2012 9:11 am
Football Nation Opinon
COLLINGWOOD’S 60-point loss to Carlton last night can’t be seen as a reflection of the change of coaches despite how glorified and sensational the story would be.
The Magpies’ list has lost the depth they have had in recent seasons which has been able to cover plagues of injuries. Now without Chris Tarrant (for at least a month), Nathan Brown will take a cautious approach through the VFL on return from a knee injury, Andrew Krakouer may return around mid-season, Luke Ball and Ben Reid’s injuries last night will be assessed – but without these players, the Pies are struggling to reach their peak level.
This is on top of defender Ben Johnson and Alan Didak, coming back from soft tissue injuries in the VFL today, along with the lingering doubt surrounding the imminent future of Brent Macaffer.
This is simply out of Nathan Buckley’s hands; no matter how premiership coach Mick Malthouse left the team. It does go to show however that Malthouse’s decision, in which he left with a little regret, was the right one for him because it may be the beginning of a sinking ship.
Their fitness is being heavily criticised despite boasting a remarkable amount of funds to send their players to training regimes in Arizona. They lost their legs against the Hawks against round one – and last night, they were comprehensively beaten after half time.
This is how the AFL wants the competition to be played; the top teams to eventually fall and those on the bottom to rise.
Collingwood should still make the top five or six this season but it is certain the Pies aren’t as powerful as they once were. Those thinking that this team is a super power and can have a stranglehold on the competition for consecutive years are perhaps now a little blinded by a few holes in the team.
This be hyperbolising the 10 goal loss last night, but that was the biggest loss for the Pies in more than two seasons. Time will tell whether they can get back up from this.
Tell us what you think. Is Collingwood’s rein as a powerhouse of the competition slipping away?
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Tags: Collingwood, Nathan Buckley
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