BUCKLEY STEADY ON ‘KIDS’
COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says calls for his side to “play the kids” are misinformed and the Magpies’ young talent coming through would feature at AFL level “if they’re ready”.
Buckley (pictured) confirmed that first-year midfielder Finlay Macrae would make his debut against West Coast on Friday night, but vowed not to rush in other inexperienced players before they earned their spots.
“‘Play the kids’ is a common refrain at the moment,” he said.
“If I was sitting watching the footy with my grandpa back in the day he’d yell, ‘Just kick it’. ‘Play the kids’ makes about as much sense as that. If they’re ready, they’ll play, and Finn’s deserved his opportunity, as Oli (Henry) did through the pre-season, as Beau McCreery did leading into last weekend.
“We’re trying to reward good form and clearly our patchy form up top is providing opportunity for guys who are putting consistent form in underneath.”
Buckley said clubs like Sydney were in a better position to play youth, especially this year.
Collingwood had five picks in the top 31 selections in last year’s national draft, but four played no football in 2020 given the NAB League in Victoria was scrapped.
“The Swans have an academy that they’ve been running young players through for two or three years before they come of age and get drafted,” Buckley said.
“We don’t have that luxury or capacity, so it is a little bit different.”
Collingwood is strongly considering moving key defender Darcy Moore into attack in coming weeks as it struggles to find a winning forward mix.
The Magpies had 52 inside 50s to Great Western Sydney’s 48 last weekend, but took only six marks inside 50 and kicked only nine goals in a 30-point loss.
“Darcy’s an elite, All-Australian key defender. So we understand the commentary about his aerial possibilities forward but that’s still a maybe,” Buckley said.
Buckley acknowledged frustration from fans that the Magpies had not shown they were heading in the right direction and admitted the side was lacking a competitive “edge”. However, he backed his playing group to respond.