Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the Magpies will wrestle to match their gorgeous exploits in 2022, though he believes his former aspect could make back-to-back finals appearances.
The Magpies will doubtless be “one or two wins off” their 16-6 document in the course of the 2022 home-and-away season, which allowed them to snag a prime 4 berth and attain a preliminary ultimate towards the Swans based on Buckley who was changed by Craig McRae as coach.
“The Pies were amazing – to have that run and momentum with close games, it was hard not to get caught up in,” he stated.
“It took a close game to pip them at the end, which was disappointing for the boys. I think they can continue on that trajectory.”
Nine of Collingwood’s 17 wins in 2022 had been by a margin of 10 factors or much less, whereas earlier than finals the Magpies had received 9 of 10 video games determined by a single determine margin.
Buckley, a Collingwood legend as a participant, stated followers couldn’t anticipate the playing cards to fall their option to the identical extent this season.
“I think it’s going to be hard for them to win 10 close games … you’ve got to expect that they might drop a few of those, so to get back to a 16-win season I think is going to be tough for them,” he stated.
“I think they might be one or two off that but I still see them as a finalist.”
Buckley, who’s making a enjoying comeback as a part of the Carlton Draft native soccer initiative, stated he seen Richmond as critical flag contenders in 2023.
“I think Richmond … their capacity to rebuild their team on the fly, with Hopper and Taranto coming in despite Jason Castagna’s retirement,” Buckley stated.
“I think they’ve still got a really good structure and connection across the football club and I’d expect them to be right up there at the end of the year.”
Buckley will pull on the boots for the primary time since he retired after Collingwood’s 2007 preliminary ultimate loss to Geelong, after agreeing to be certainly one of six former AFL stars to be “drafted” to a neighborhood membership for a recreation in the course of the 2023 season.
He stated he wished to assist bridge the “widening gap” between the elite stage and grassroots soccer by becoming a member of this system, together with former Hawk Jordan Lewis.
“There’s some country clubs that are trying to pull together the community and trying to stay afloat … any way we can help with that and be involved in that I’m looking forward to,” he stated.
“It’s full circle, as a young fella my dad coached West Gambier and I was going around … watching the footy with a footy in my hands, eating Wizz Fizzes all day and playing Space Invaders at night.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
