Sentiment not enough to keep Pies premiership stars
After another disappointing season, Collingwood farewelled another three premiership stars in Travis Cloke, Nathan Brown during the recent trade period. The duo were apart of the 2010 premiership at the club, and were a[art of a disappointing defence that leaked their fair share of goals this season.
Joining them out the door was Jack Frost who was traded to Brisbane, Frost who has only played 54 games after being drafted in 2013 in the rookie draft was shown the door after a disappointing season. Marley Williams also departs the Pies after he was traded late on the final day of the trade period headed for North Melbourne.
Whereas Travis Cloke requested a trade to the premiers Western Bulldogs prior to the end of the season, and was soon traded to the Bulldogs for Pick 78 late in the trade period. The former Copeland Trophy winner only managed 13 games in 2016, which later saw some request the trade away from the club.
The trade of Travis Cloke, much like the deal that saw Sam Mitchell depart Hawthorn for West Coast, the trade of Travis Cloke came under fire by some. Collingwood fans also were not happy that Cloke departed, the club had wanted to keep him at the club but he wished to move on.
Travis Cloke practises his goalkicking at training. Photo Source: The Herald Sun
Nathan Brown a free agent was signed by St. Kilda for the next two years, Collingwood opted not to match the Saints’ bid allowing him to move onto a new club. The club traded Marley Williams for a late draft pick, a pick that has not been used since 1992.
Nathan Buckley has come under fire for the moves, however, the shake up at the club that saw Frost, Brown, and Williams depart the club appeared to have been orchestrated by in coming football director Graeme “Gubby” Allen. A shake up that has been needed at Collingwood to help put an end to the clubs drop down the ladder.
The Magpies have looked to improve their lack of experience at the club by bringing in players like Lyndon Dunn from Melbourne, and free agents Chris Mayne from Fremantle and also North Melbourne’s Daniel Wells.
As much as Travis Cloke, Jack Frost, Marley Williams and Nathan Brown were loved by the supporters, and admired around the club there comes a time to make tough decisions. In a quest for finals and another shot at premiership glory Collingwood needs to put aside sentimentality and make decisions based on performance, and results.
It could be that at the end of the 2017 season the Magpies might be left with another decision to cut ties with a club champion and sack Nathan Buckley if he fails to deliver this season. In what is being dubbed a make or break season, Nathan Buckley faces the axe if the Magpies do not start to improve.
Jeremy Howe of the Magpies and Jack Frost of the Magpies compete for the ball during the clash against Carlton.
Collingwood fans have been very critical of Nathan Buckley’s role as coach, but at the backend of the 2016 season things slowly started to click for the Magpies and they looked a lot better. The Pies have had a horrible run with injuries, but this season appeared more a case of bad decisions which have lead to changes to the Collingwood game plan.
For Collingwood to go from missing finals to winning another flag they have to dispense with the sentiment and start making more tough calls which could include sacking coach Nathan Buckley, should he fail to deliver the Pies another shot at finals.
While Collingwood makes the touch decisions, fans need to allow the football department to make their moves and be patient to see the results. The list is there, the talent is there, now we await the results that should start to follow.
Collingwood has a bright future ahead of it, whether or not that is under Nathan Buckley, it’s time for the talent to also step up and show itself. Otherwise it is time for the Pies to not only look at the coaches future, but also player futures as well.
