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Something old or something new? Collingwood’s coaching conundrum

As Collingwood readies for its marquee Queen’s Birthday clash with Melbourne, a favourite son is preparing to say goodbye after almost three decades in service to one of the AFL’s biggest and most powerful football clubs.

While Nathan Buckley has been a figure of calm and pragmatism during a tumultuous 2021, emotions are sure to be running high at the SCG this afternoon.

Buckley is a revered figure at Collingwood and leaves an enormous legacy as a former captain who won a record six best-and-fairest awards and a coach only

The Magpies’ last premiership coach, Mick Malthouse, the man who ultimately handed over his position to Buckley as part of a messy succession plan, provided an insight into the magnitude of the role on Grandstand AFL.

“This job is massive … It’s massive, you are on the front, back page of papers every day, you are in the news every day,” he said.

“No young coach could go in there and do it, I tell you right now, he’d be murdered.”

To opt for something old or go with something new is the conundrum facing Collingwood as it begins the search for Buckley’s successor.

The first-timers

Hawthorn's Luke Hodge, Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell with the AFL premiership cup
Hawthorn premiership winners Alastair Clarkson (centre) and Sam Mitchell (right) have both had their names mentioned in the race for the Magpies job.(

AAP: Julian Smith

)

Sam Mitchell and Adam Kingsley fit the ‘something new’ approach as respected assistants at Hawthorn and Richmond respectively. Of that pair, Kingsley boasts the more extensive coaching resume, having worked with Port Adelaide, St Kilda and presently as right-hand man to the Tigers’ three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick.

Hardwick has publicly endorsed Kingsley for the Collingwood job. In contrast, Hawthorn senior coach Alastair Clarkson expressed a degree of caution around his former captain, Mitchell, who also previously spent time as an assistant at West Coast.

Mitchell is currently taking charge of Hawks’ VFL affiliate Box Hill, acquiring additional skills to take on the all-encompassing role of a modern AFL coach.

The caretaker

For now, another former Brownlow medallist, long-serving assistant Robert Harvey, gets the opportunity to impress as Collingwood’s caretaker coach for the remaining part of the season.

While well respected, he’s been on the periphery a long time without ever being given a senior coaching position.

From the difficult circumstances surrounding his temporary appointment comes a huge opportunity to make an impression.

Alastair Clarkson and Ross Lyon

Of the older, experienced coaching brigade, the usual names have cropped up as possibilities for the Collingwood coaching job, with Clarkson and former Fremantle and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon the most prominent.

Clarkson has rejected suggestions he would consider a move away from Hawthorn, where he has a year remaining on his contract, and should be taken at face value. But Lyon has declared a willingness to speak with the Magpies.

A profile shot of Ross Lyon looking down.A profile shot of Ross Lyon looking down.
Ross Lyon’s last two teams “fell badly” at the end of his time there.(

AAP: Julian Smith

)

On ABC Grandstand AFL, premiership-winning experts Cameron Ling and Adam Ramanauskas both expressed reservations around Lyon.

“I haven’t seen him build a list yet,” Ling said.

“He took over at St Kilda when they had a lot of the talent there and he shaped them. You talk to those senior St Kilda players, they love him — same with Fremantle – [but in] both circumstances it really finished badly. They fell badly the Saints and they fell badly the Dockers.

“So is he really the right man to build a brand new group? I’m not sure about that.”

Ramanauskas suggested Lyon’s prevailing game style may not be what the Magpies are looking for.

“The interesting part with Ross, is his coaching style is more defensive and that’s what Collingwood have been criticised about,” he said.

“No doubt he is a good coach but if he comes in and he’s got this really defensive-minded attitude, is that what Collingwood fans want? Is that what the Collingwood administration want?”

Mark Williams

Port Adelaide’s only premiership coach, Mark Williams, is another intriguing prospect, one Malthouse has endorsed as his top candidate.

Williams has been commended for his work alongside Melbourne senior coach Simon Goodwin, credited with helping improve the Demons’ ball use — a key to their startling rise.

Williams waves goodbye to PortWilliams waves goodbye to Port
Mark Williams led Port Adelaide to their only premiership in 2004.(

Ben McMahon: AAP

)

“He loves the game, he gets the best out of people, he’s passionate, he’s a premiership coach, he is a best and fairest at Collingwood, a leading goalkicker at Collingwood, a captain at Collingwood; he fits the criteria,” Malthouse said.

Former Carlton captain and three-time premiership player Mark Maclure also spoke glowingly of 62-year-old Williams.

“He’s an infectious guy, very infectious person and I’d rate him right up there,” he said.

“All they mention is Lyon and Clarkson, we need to explore outside.

“For me he’s changed the fortunes and the culture at Melbourne.”

Michael Voss

Man in a beanie sits at a table in a press conference.Man in a beanie sits at a table in a press conference.
After a poor first shot in Brisbane, Michael Voss has completed some good apprenticeships.(

AAP: David Mariuz, file photo

)

Former Brisbane coach Michael Voss had been considered a front-runner for the vacant Carlton job in 2019 before the momentum behind caretaker David Teague became overwhelming.

Voss has upskilled considerably during a lengthy tenure as an assistant at Port Adelaide and in the eyes of Geelong’s premiership captain, Ling, is deserving of another opportunity.

“I feel Michael Voss, only because of the way he has been prepared to admit he did a below-average job at Brisbane, step away and learn from a good coach in Ken Hinkley,” he said.

“I think he will have changed his approach to a number of things [and] I reckon it might be the time to see him again.”

As Collingwood enjoys one last afternoon with Nathan Buckley, the magnitude of the decision around his successor mirrors that of the coaching job itself.

Judgements must be made under difficult circumstances through the raw emotion of a revered figure’s departure and with the menacing backdrop of a looming board challenge.

It’s a difficult position, one shrouded in uncertainty and with no margin for error.

Merge the famous colours on the iconic Magpie jumper and that’s where the club regrettably finds itself – grey areas.

Source: AFL NEWS ABC