Collingwood youngster Tom Phillips has praised coach Nathan Buckley’s change of attitude in the early stages of the preseason.
Buckley received a two-year contract extension at the conclusion of this season, despite enduring another losing campaign and missing the finals again. The Magpies haven’t featured in September since 2013, and the continued lack of success ignited a sweeping postseason review of the club’s operations.
Despite Buckley remaining at the helm, his support staff has been adjusted. Matthew Boyd, Garry Hocking, Justin Longmuir, Nick Maxwell and Ned Guy have all been acquired in numerous off-field roles, while Scott Burns, Bill Davoren and Dr Chris Bradshaw have departed the club. Robert Harvey and Brenton Sanderson remain on board as assistant coaches.
Phillips says the turnover has allowed Buckley to adjust his approach, which has created a more enjoyable environment around the group.
“I think it’s quite different already,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“I can feel just walking in over the last week, he is much more relaxed and not as full on and overbearing as he has been in that coaching role over the past few years. He has definitely taken a bit of a step back and has really started trusting and relying on the great assistant coaches we have coming in.
“Justin Longmuir, Garry Hocking and Matthew Boyd from the Dogs, who is just out of the game. Some great guys who have came in. Credit to Bucks, he really, at this stage, has a fresh mind.
“Two more years at the helm again which is great, and I’ve signed on for two years as well. We have always gotten along and had a good relationship, so I think in that respect, he is really fresh in the mind at the moment.
“Most clubs are at this point of time, so it’s going to be interesting to see how we do go as the season gets closer and then progresses throughout next year. It has been good to see. He seems pretty calm.”
The restructured football department has seen Buckley transfer responsibility to his other coaches, according to the emerging 21-year-old.
“That delegation, even if you ask Bucks himself, he is starting to realise that and is really ejoying that role of stepping back and overlooking things,” Phillips said.
“Who has really come into that role is Garry Hocking, he has really planted his foot and taken over things, especially with my area of improvement and where I’m at with stoppages and the midfield stuff. Robert Harvey is helping with that and the transition stuff in the midfield. Those two guys are pretty full on with taking most of the stuff.
“Justin Longmuir is doing the team defence and ‘Sando’ [Sanderson] is with the forwards. There is a really good spread at the moment with the delegation and leadership, and the fresh voices that have come in.
“It is pretty positive at the moment. The whole reshaping and the new system with that delegation is going to pay dividends.”
Phillips, who recommitted to the Pies for a further two seasons in September, had a breakout 2017 campaign. The Oakleigh Chargers product averaged 21.1 disposals, 325.1 metres gained, 15.2 uncontested possessions, 4.7 score involvements and 2.6 inside 50s last season, and a more permanent move into the midfield is in order for the 58th pick in the 2015 draft.
He is also confident the revived feeling around the club will yield more consistent performances in 2018, something he concedes hasn’t been there in recent times.
“In the last few years we have played on and off games, where we have showed a little bit of what we want to stand for,” Phillips said.
“I think in the past, if you have asked the person in the crowd what is Collingwood footy, there would be some mixed responses and a little bit of inconsistency. There will be a dramatic sort of difference.
“Playing to our strengths, mainly with a lot of the stoppage stuff and the midfield craft, and the talent we have inside. We need to make sure we are good with that break in play and imposing our strength and aggression on sides, and stopping other team’s quick transition.
“We have a good mix with the inside and outside work. It’s very early on but it’ll be good to see as the season goes on, how we can brand that.”