Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley’s contract situation will be watched closely in 2021, with his two-year deal set to expire.
Coming off a 2020 season where they snuck into the eight and surprised West Coast in an Elimination Final and then an ensuing tumultuous off-season, it’s hard to know what to expect from the Magpies this year.
Buckley said he would make the call to step aside as Collingwood coach at the end of the year if he felt it was the right thing for the club.
"Those conversations take place consistently and it's a really easy one because whatever's best for the football club will occur. There's a settling period that needs to happen or a reinforcing period or a re-establishing period that needs to happen," Buckley told AFL Media.
"Our performances this year, no doubt, are going to have a say on what is best for the club going forward.
"I don't feel like I have to be the senior coach going forward if that's the best thing for the club and I feel that I can still impact and help the club move towards contending consistently and winning flags well then I'll put my hand up.
"And if the club felt it was better to go in another direction then I would understand that. That conversation will be held in good faith and it's not something that we'll be addressing until later in the year."
We will get our first look at Collingwood on Friday night when they take on Richmond at Marvel Stadium in the pre-season competition.
