Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the Magpies will battle to match their beautiful 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 file in the course of the 2022 home-and-away season, which allowed them to snag a high 4 berth and attain a preliminary remaining towards the Swans in line with 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 mentioned.
“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 have 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, mentioned followers couldn’t count on the playing cards to fall their approach 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 mentioned.
“I think they might be one or two off that but I still see them as a finalist.”
Buckley, who’s making a taking part in comeback as a part of the Carlton Draft native soccer initiative, mentioned he considered Richmond as severe 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 mentioned.
“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 remaining loss to Geelong, after agreeing to be one in every of six former AFL stars to be “drafted” to a neighborhood membership for a recreation in the course of the 2023 season.
He mentioned he needed to assist bridge the “widening gap” between the elite degree 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 mentioned.
“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.news.com.au
