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Collingwood Skipper Scott Pendlebury gave a coach under siege Nathan Buckley a vote of confidence, saying it’s up to the players to change the fortunes of the team.
Buckley’s future at the helm has become a constant talking point with the veteran coach who has yet to be signed up beyond the 2021 season, sparking rumors this could be his last year.
AFTER: Buckley reports mass changes after latest loss
After a tumultuous season, Collingwood stumbled to an unimpressive 1-3 four-lap record and faces the big task of toppling the West Coast in Perth this week.
With the heat currently on his coach, Pendlebury put the torch on the playgroup in an attempt to get a response following a disappointing loss to the GWS Giants.
“I feel like he’s the right guy,” Pendlebury told reporters.
“I don’t think it’s make or break, (but) we obviously want to win. The main (concern) is just around our contested ball. It’s just not in a save, it’s behind the ball. also, so we have to solve these problems.
“I don’t know how Bucks can help us win a weekend contested ball.”
“He’s the Collingwood coach, so a lot of pressure there, but eventually (if) we win games, it calms down,” added veteran defenseman Jeremy Howe.
With the Magpies likely to be deprived of the services of star midfielder Taylor Adams for 10 weeks due to a knee injury he sustained against the Giants, fans have called on the club to embrace the youth.
As conscript Finlay Macrae looks set to make his AFL debut in the fifth round, Pendlebury has said playing a group of young players at a time is not possible.
“I don’t think it’s always good to provide games for young children. I don’t think it really helps them,” he said.
“We have amazing kids and we just make sure we bleed them on the side at the right stage.”
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