David King has encouraged Collingwood caretaker coach Robert Harvey to “throw the magnets around” to free the team up and find a way to increase their scoring.
Harvey, who was announced as interim coach for the rest of the season following Nathan Buckley's recent departure, takes charge of a Magpies side that is coming off back-to-back wins over Adelaide and Melbourne.
Collingwood has kicked over 100 points just once this year under former coach Buckley, who parted ways with the club after the Queen’s Birthday victory over the Demons.
Harvey, a long-time assistant coach, has a nine-game audition to stake his claim for the senior coaching position at the Holden Centre beyond 2021.
“He (Harvey) is long odds to get the job, I would say. Because they’re looking for change,” King told SEN Drive.
“Given the form of the previous two caretaker coaches in terms of Rhyce Shaw and David Teague, you would think that would probably go against him in some way shape or form.
“He would have to absolutely nail it – so how could he nail it?
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“I reckon one thing he could do … in the last four to five weeks, they’re scoring 62 points on average per game. What happens if he (Harvey) throws the magnets around and finds a way for them to score 100 points or more in the next three to five weeks?
“What happens if they just go bang and start lighting it up against Fremantle, St Kilda and even challenge Richmond in three weeks’ time?
“Would it change your view of the stocks of Robert Harvey’s coaching?
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King continued: “What other option has he got? I’m going glass half full. What happens if he does ignite them?
“He could just give these kids come confidence. It’s a blank canvas. All the troubles in the past are gone. Let’s just attack, let’s go and have a crack.
“He’s coming from a long way back. If he can show that he can do something that hasn’t been done with this group … it’s down a few stars.”
Collingwood is currently without Taylor Adams (knee), Jeremy Howe (hamstring) and Darcy Moore (knee), while Brodie Grundy (back) has been cleared to return for Harvey's first game as interim coach against the Dockers.
Dual Brownlow Medallist Harvey won the AFL Coaches’ Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013.