Collingwood Magpies News

Josh Fraser and Tarkyn Lockyer are replaced by Heath Shaw and new recruit Darren Jolly in Collingwood's leadership group.

"He's only 23, 24 years old now, so it takes time to mature and time to mature into an AFL footballer, so that's something that he's worked on, and we're rapt that he's in there. He's done a lot of good things already," Magpies skipper said of Shaw.

"He's really taking on young guys now. He's not just playing his own game - he's really trying to help the team and develop the young guys."

A spiteful NAB Challenge practice match between the Magpies and the Tigers results in allegations of biting and "dobbing".

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has drawn the ire of Richmond after providing evidence that he was struck by Richmond's Jake King resulting in the latter being suspended and offered two weeks for his offence.

Tigers recruit Dylan Grimes was also involved after being allegedly bitten on the back by an unnamed Collingwood player.

Travis Cloke's manager and father, David Cloke, says the Magpie forward will resist the temptation to join the new Gold Coast franchise to stay with Collingwood.

"Travis enjoys it at Collingwood, he has all the way along, and he doesn't have any problem with the club at all," Cloke Sr said.

"Now it's just a matter of getting down to talking figures."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke provides evidence to the match review panel against Tiger Jake King for striking him.

King is subsequently suspended for two matches following Cloke's evidence.

Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood will be sidelined for the next six weeks after undergoing surgery to his left ring finger which he injured during the Magpies' NAB Challenge win over Adelaide in Alice Springs.

Magpie Travis Cloke, uncontracted beyond 2010, is the latest in a list potential targets for the new Gold Coast franchise.

"Travis is contracted this season and is focused on his football, but the club has said it wanted to start discussions and we'll go through that process. I've given them a couple of dates." Cloke's father and manager David Cloke said.

Collingwood assistant coach Gavin Brown says Luke Ball is not worried about facing off against his former St Kilda teammates in their first 2010 NAB Cup game.

"I'm sure they respect him and they've got a game to win, as we do," Brown said.

"So I don't know if there'll be too much of that going on. I think it's probably the furthest thing from Luke's mind."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says that Nathan Buckley is not yet ready to become Collingwood's senior coach.

"Nathan has got a lot to learn and that's why he would be the first to admit the role he is going to play in the next two seasons is important to him and for his growth," Malthouse said.

"Coaching the (Victorian Country) under-16s, that's a mile off coaching anything else and he admits that. He has a great appetite to learn."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has hit back at St Kilda over Luke Ball's transfer between the clubs following public statements by Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt that Ball had chosen to leave despite being presented with a contract.

"He would have agonised over this and being the kind of person he is he would have agonised long and hard and it wouldn't have come as an easy choice," Malthouse said.

"Players always know when they're wanted and if they're not wanted, it means really they should move on."

Darren Jolly dominated Collingwood's scratch match at Gosch's Paddock leaving his new teammates impressed.

"He can take a good mark down there, so he'll drift forward at times and have fair stints in the ruck and have his time on the bench," teammate Leigh Brown said of Jolly after the match.

"I think that's going to be a terrific advantage for the club."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien has appealed for everyone to treat troubled Mathew Stokes as a human being after the Geelong forward was charged with trafficking cocaine.

"Through his own choices he has placed himself in this situation. A situation which occurs frequently everyday in our country and around the world," O'Brien wrote on the AFL Players Association website.

"Mathew Stokes inherited the tag of being a role model when he entered the AFL. However he is still a human being."

"I would much rather focus on how to be proactive in the prevention of drug abuse and trafficking that affects the masses, than being reactive to one isolated incident."

Nick Riewoldt says Luke Ball initiated his move from St Kilda, and joined his coach in stating that the Saints have already moved on from his departure.

"With Ball, it was disappointing that he left. He was offered a contract and knocked it back and wanted to leave," Riewoldt told Triple M.

"I've spoken to Luke during the pre-season. I haven't spoken to him since yesterday when I said what I said. There is no simmering tension from my end. Luke is a player at another club now and I'm more focussed about us than I am about him."

Collingwood recruit Luke Ball is poised to face his former club in this month's NAB Cup clash.

Collingwood midfielder Shane O'Bree says he can't wait to see former skipper Nathan Buckley grow as an assistant coach.

"He is adjusting very well. Initially it was going to be different because he has played with the majority of the team," O'Bree said.

"With the way he speaks and how clear he is when explaining a drill, I can't wait until game day to see how he performs then and I'm sure he will be really good."

Anthony Rocca has decided to shelve plans to try out as a punter in the United States' National Football League so that he can spend more time with his family.

"I enjoyed my 15 years of playing football but it's time to move on," he said.

"Injury and age have caught up and I'm enjoying my situation and I get to spend time with my family."

Collingwood's US international rookie, Seamus McNamara, says the challenge of doing something unique drew him to Australian football.

"I'm all about doing something new and unique - for Americans, not too many people know about Australian football, unfortunately," McNamara says.

"To be the first to actually do it, I think that's pretty cool in my book - my goal at the end of the day, besides just kicking some tail out on the field, is to bring the sport over to America."

Brad Dick will miss up to half of the 2010 AFL season after requiring a shoulder reconstruction due to an injury he sustained while on Collingwood's training camp in Arizona.

Magpie recruit Simon Buckley being drafted by Collingwood will help him overcome the injuries that ruined his 2009 season.

"The first and most important thing was getting back on the track and getting my hip right. Obviously, the Lexus Centre and Collingwood have state of the art facilities," he said.

"It's going to be best for my rehab and getting me back up and training, which was one of the biggest reasons why the decision was made for Collingwood."

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury trained with the team on Monday after being knocked unconscious in a weekend attack.

"It was good to put the weekend behind me, get back into the first session after returning from Arizona, and move forward," Pendlebury said.

"I felt good and I got through the whole session. Now I just want to focus on training up until Christmas, and then having a break, before getting back into it in 2010."

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury is sent to a hospital after being assaulted in the early hours of Sunday morning in an incident in Lakes Entrance.

"Scott was out with his brother Kris and a few friends and was leaving the Lakes Entrance area when he was hit from behind at about 1.30am," a statement from the Magpies read.

"Scott hit the pavement in front of him and was unconscious. He was taken to a Bairnsdale hospital where tests have cleared him of major injuries. He sustained damage to his teeth and cuts to his face as a result of the incident."

The incident has prompted Collingwood president Eddie McGuire to label AFL footballers as easy prey for thugs after teammate Travis Cloke was similarly assaulted last year.

"We're going to bring it up with the AFL and the AFLPA. We're getting tired of our blokes getting targeted these days," McGuire said.

"There's obviously been trangressions in the past by footballers, but we are finding more and more that it's the other way around now."

Pendlebury's girlfriend Alex Davis was understandably distressed upon hearing the news.

"Kris rang me and told me not to be worried, but that someone had king-hit Scott and he was in hospital. I never, ever cry, but I just bawled my eyes out," she said.

"Kris said Scott had hit the pavement hard and it just made me feel sick. I've been told he's chipped his teeth and I'll just cry if I see his face and it's not the same."

Ben Graham has encouraged Anthony Rocca to chase his dream being an NFL punter, but says the task of breaking into the league will not be easy.

"Anthony has Sav in his corner, so that's a head start no one else can get," Graham said.

"You may only get one shot at it, and then it's the sacrifice and discipline and hurdles you face along the way. That might prevent a lot of people from pushing it further.

"I will never say to anyone don't give it a go, but then again I saw you don't want to completely turn your life upside-down for a dream that might not be there."

Collingwood recruit Luke Ball says he's 'supremely confident' that he can produce better form than in his time at St Kilda.

"Looking back I've probably only really ever done one full pre-season, if I'm going to be honest about it," he said.

"So I'm really confident that, provided I want to do the work - which I'm pretty sure that I do - that I've still got some good footy left in me."

New Magpie Luke Ball says that he has no hard feelings for his former club St Kilda after moving to Collingwood via the 2009 national draft.

"I've moved on from St Kilda with absolutely no bitterness or no resentment or anything like that at all," Ball said.

"I had eight fantastic years at the club. I thank them very much; they gave me an opportunity ... after eight years I basically just felt I needed a fresh start and a fresh opportunity."

Delisted Collingwood ruckman Chris Bryan is training to become the latest AFL player to try out as a punter in the US National Football League.

Collingwood defender Heath Shaw says former Saint Luke Ball would be a valuable addition to his side's midfield.

"He's obviously a quality player, he's been around the traps for a while and he's been captain of his former club," Shaw said.

"He'd definitely bring a lot of experience to the club."

Hawthorn is considering drafting an experienced ruckmen, one of Chris Bryan, Cameron Cloke, John Meesen, Adam Pattison or Wayde Skipper on Thursday night.

Up to 12 players, including Paul Medhurst, Josh Fraser and John Anthony, will stay in Melbourne instead of joining their teammates at Collingwood's altitude camp in Arizona.

"We've probably got about 12 that are staying behind," David Buttifant said.

"It may be for technical reasons, purely to work on skills or it may be rehab from surgery."

Former Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca admits breaking into the NFL is tough but will continue to work on refining his punting action.

"It is a very, very difficult to sport to get into," Rocca said.

"A lot of people think you just rock up and you'll be in, but you've got to kick torpedoes all the time and to do that is something that is not overly natural to us.

Collingwood defender Shannon Cox has told the club he has lost his passion to play top level football.

"Shannon returned from the post-season break and decided that he no longer had the desire and hunger to commit to the demands of AFL football," Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh said.

"We fully expected Shannon to be part of our 2010 list however we respect his decision to retire and wish him well."

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell believes his side is definitely in a better position to challenge for a premiership in 2010.

"We're definitely in a better position," Maxwell said.

"We had quite a few guys who went through some serious traumas that you can never really judge.

"On top of that, we had some injuries at key times. I think the experience from this year, and even from the previous year with some of the young guys, has held us in good stead."

Nathan Buckley adjusts to life in familiar surroundings as a coach instead of a player in his new role as assistant coach of Collingwood.

"I was walking out to watch the boys setting off to do the 2km and I remembered what it felt like as a player," Buckley said.

"It's familiar surroundings, but obviously it's very different role and responsibility. It's all about relationships. Whether you're playing with them or coaching, the whole idea is to try and and help them be the best they can be and mould it into a successful unit."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse hopes the addition of ruckman Darren Jolly will help the club win more ruck clearances.

"He's a premiership ruckman. He's competed against the best ruckmen and performed very well. We believe he will give us more offensive clearances," Malthouse said of Jolly while adding that the new addition may free up opportunities for Fraser to play in other areas of the ground.

"Josh might play as a ruck rover. He might play as a half-forward," Malthouse said.

Collingwood has delisted five players as they prepare for next month's draft including Chris Bryan and Danny Stanley along with rookie list players Toby Thoolen, Johnny Bennell and Kevin Dyas.

Colingwood great Tony Shaw is critical of Magpies skipper Nick Maxwell for voicing his opinion against trading for Brendan Fevola saying that there was no room in the team for the Blues forward.

"I reckon Nick has done a great job, but is he saying that's a club issue or his own issue? Because he shouldn't be commenting on recruitment at all," Shaw said.

"That should be left to the recruiting and administration and the coaching staff. As captain you don't even get involved in that stuff."

Retired Magpie Anthony Rocca encouraged his teammates to achieve the premiership he was never able to attain.

"One thing that as a player I'm going to regret is never winning a premiership," he told the crowd.

"It's always going to be lingering there ... I'm telling you guys - make the opportunity last, take it now."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien stole the show at the Copeland Trophy with a heartfelt speech about his tough year following the death of his stepfather, Ralph, at the start of the season.

"There were times this season when I'd lock myself into the toilets and start crying," O'Brien said.

"I didn't really get a chance to reflect on how tough a season it's been and just thinking about it right now, I've learnt so much this season and this has been a bad year.

"I can't wait til a good year."

Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan has won his second straight club best and fairest for the Pies with 57 votes, well ahead of runner-up and Magpie captain Nick Maxwell with 48 votes.

Josh Fraser decides against surgery for a chronic problem in his right knee, opting instead to undergo intensive rehabilitation.

"The surgeon was looking at the possibility of a PCL reconstruction," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"That would have meant a long time on the sidelines. We'll go down the path of a really intensive quad strengthening program."

Martin Clarke has decided against seeking a new contract with Collingwood to instead pursue studies and Gaelic football in his home country.

"My decision to return home was not an easy one," Clarke wrote on collingwoodfc.com.au.

"But I simply miss my home and the people close to me too much ... I am also looking forward to playing Gaelic football again.

"I strongly believe my best moments of my sporting life are ahead of me and at this stage and I want to show them on the GAA stage."

Anthony Rocca talks of plans to follow in his brothers footsteps and take up punting in the US following his retirement.

"I'm keen to try and get into the punting scene in the NFL, and I'll try my best to get a job in that arena, but if not I wouldn't mind doing some sort of part-time coaching role in the AFL," Anthony Rocca said.

"I'd love to stay at Collingwood because I love the place, it would be good to work behind the scenes."

Veteran Magpie Anthony Rocca announces his retirement after a 242-game career.

"I would like to thank the Collingwood Football Club for allowing me to have had the career I've had, and the Sydney Swans for giving me the opportunity to play AFL football, I'm very grateful," Rocca said.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says Scott Pendlebury is likely to play against Geelong despite suffering a broken leg just two weeks ago, but all could change on Saturday.

"The simple fact is that a player who can play at 80 per cent for 100 per cent of the time, in finals football, is better than a player who can play at 100 per cent for 80 per cent of the time," Malthouse said.

"We don't want Scott playing at 80 per cent for 100 per cent of the time, we want him playing closer to 100 per cent, but he's got to be able to play 100 per cent of the time."

Magpie midfielder Scott Pendlebury surprises by being picked for the team to face Geelong in a preliminary final only two weeks after suffering a fractured leg against St Kilda.

Leon Davis says coach Michael Malthouse is largely responsible for him earning an All Australian nod this year after he contemplated leaving early in his career.

"He stuck by me - obviously I owe a whole lot to him for having the faith in me and looking after me when I first came over," Davis said.

"He really did understand where I came from, and how hard it was for me to leave home and all my family - he really did understand and I owe it to him.

"I'm happy, and I'm very honoured to be an All-Australian for this year."

Magpie ruckman Cameron Wood says he and Josh Fraser can play together and thrive as Collingwood shape up for a showdown with Geelong in the preliminary final.

Wood was a replacement for Fraser in a semi-final against Adelaide after the latter was struggling with a knee injury.

"I think we can make a good combination, it's just the consistency of playing together which we've probably lacked a little bit," Wood said.

"We've probably played two games together, then been apart, then played another one here and there. So if we can string a few together I think we can make a good combo."

Jack Anthony kicks the winning goal with only a minute remaining after being awarded a free kick against Ben Rutten for holding in Collingwood's semi-final against Adelaide.

Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke says he hopes Anthony Rocca, who has an injured ankle, will be able to join him in the Magpies forward line in their semi final against the Crows.

''His impact and his voice is so important for John Anthony and myself, we're probably the younger ones in our forward half," Cloke said.

''I'm really hoping his ankle is fine and he's up and running again this weekend.''

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke says he hopes to improve his goalkicking accuracy against the Crows in their semi final.

Cloke has kicked 0.4 from set shots in the past two weeks.

"I've missed some sitters over the last couple of months," Cloke said.

"I've sat down with Anthony Rocca and (assistant coach) Paul Hudson.

"We've gone through what I've done right and what I've done wrong. I'm feeling very confident in front of goals.

"I missed that one on the weekend and hit the post, but I guess that's football.

"I think I'm slowly getting there and, hopefully, it's showing to the supporters that I'm trying to improve in that area."

Scott Pendlebury has a plate inserted in an operation after cracking his fibula against St Kilda in hopes that he can be fit to resume later in the finals series.

"There's some chance we can get him back playing in a time frame a bit less than normal, so maybe two weeks or a bit beyond he will be able to play - hopefully," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"Our medical advice and the surgeon's advice is that we won't affect him long-term by doing that, which was obviously a major consideration."

Scott Pendlebury is expected to miss next week's sudden death semi-final against in-form Adelaide after suffering what is believed to be a cracked fibula bone in Collingwood's loss to St Kilda in their qualifying final.

"We just didn't get the footy. Once we lost Pendlebury, there's good possessions. It doesn't matter how many he gets, they're good possessions,'' Magpies coach Mick Malthouse said.

Zac Dawson wins a re-match against his nemesis Anthony Rocca with the Saints condemning the Magpies to a sudden death semi-final after winning their qualifying final.

"Daws has really come on this year, and again we didn't ask for anything too special from him,'' teammate Lenny Hayes said.

''Just to stand his ground and he's done that all year, so it was no different today.''

Anthony Rocca has been brought into the Collingwood squad for Sunday's qualifying final against St Kilda, replacing Nathan Brown.

Former AFL players Doug Hawkins and Tony Shaw slam Lance Franklin's two-match ban for head-high contact with Ben Cousins.

"They've got to get it right because as a kid growing up that's what footy was about. People say, 'Oh, Buddy didn't tackle', well guess what? You don't have to tackle, you used to be able to bump," Hawkins said.

"Two weeks for that is just ludicrous. I'm disillusioned by the whole situation and I think the sooner the AFL work it out the better. "

Former Collingwood captain Tony Shaw concurred with Hawkins' assessment.

"It is so embarrassing at the moment. I'm all for protecting heads and spinal injuries and all that sort of thing, but you do have contact on the field and I've been involved in bumping bigger blokes where you will hit your head on their body and it's stiff cheddar," Shaw said.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse is confident the club can cover for the loss of midfield coach Brad Scott.

"That hole, we can't just turn our toes up. Nothing is really going to change much in terms of strategies, because we are not locked in to one single system week in, week out," he said.

"We analyse the opposition, and we change our course of mid zones as well as who goes in there.

"That will still come from me, and it will go to in this case, Blake Caracella, and those three blokes that spend the most time in there."

Nathan Buckley introduces a new kicking test to be used at the NAB AFL Draft camp to assess a player's kicking.

"The feedback from the clubs and the research the AFL has done over the last 24 months has highlighted the need for trying to measure the kicking in some way. To add to what recruiters see in games and decision making aspects etc. This is a good measure of technique and result as much as anything," Buckley said.

Nathan Buckley will not fill the void left by the departure of former Collingwood assistant Brad Scott who has taken up the head coaching position at North Melbourne until next season.

"If I was at the club now and had been part of the club, I'd be recommending that the current coaches can fill the void that Brad has left," Buckley said.

"There's a lot of leadership in the playing group that I reckon will be able to cover that as well."

Dayne Beams signs a contact extension with Collingwood that will see him a Magpie to the end of 2012 while putting an end to speculation of him returning to his native Gold Coast.

"Obviously, I had options but it was not really tough a decision in the end because I wanted to stay at Collingwood. They gave me a chance to stay here. And I took it and I'm very grateful," he said.

Twenty players from Richmond and Collingwood have been charged with engaging in a melee by the AFL match review panel.

Jake King, in particular, has accepted a two-match suspension after being found guilty of striking Collingwood's Alan Didak.

Magpie captain Nick Maxwell expresses his distaste for Richmond's tactics in attempting to niggle the Collingwood players instead of winning the ball in a match where the Tigers were thrashed by 93 points.

Maxwell said Collingwood, who are preparing for the finals, were not in a position to retaliate.

"That's the way they decided to go, but I thought it was pretty average considering we couldn't fight back and considering they weren't prepared, a few of their blokes, to put their head over the ball when it counted," Maxwell said on Seven's AFL Gameday.

"There were certain instigators that were a part of that and they're the ones that should be fined, not the ones that were trying to break it up."

Collingwood assistant coach Brad Scott praises Alan Didak for keeping his cool despite constant niggling from Tiger Jake King.

King's attempts to unsettle Didak followed Hawk Ben McGlynn's efforts a few weeks ago when McGlynn was able to get under the forward's skin in Collingwoods loss to Hawthorn.

"Everyone highlighted the fact that McGlynn got under his skin against Hawthorn, and we knew Richmond would try and do the same to him again today," Scott said after the match.

"He responded brilliantly. We were rapt with his efforts both offensively and defensively, and to hold his nerve under pressure.

"Today he was completely in control of every situation. Players tried to get under his skin, it didn't affect him, and the game was played on his terms and our terms."

Leigh Brown will play in his 200th game this weekend for Collingwood, his third club after stints with Fremantle and North Melbourne.

Brown's career looked in jeopardy after an average 2008 season at the Kangaroos.

"I probably thought it was over there for a while and I'm very grateful for the opportunity ... it's exciting times," Brown said.

"I still thought I could play at the level. I think I was still playing some good footy last year even at VFL level. The opportunties probably weren't there and weren't given to me last year, but I still thought I could play.

"I'm not too worried about what people outside the club say or anything like that. I knew that I still had something to offer and I was very keen to play on and I'm enjoying my footy this year."

Nick Maxwell has excelled as captain of the Magpies, according to coach Mick Malthouse.

"I've got to say he's exceeded my expectation - I recommended him, well, we recommended him as a match committee to the board, but he's gone beyond that," Malthouse said.

"He's changed - he was brave, now he's become braver.

"He was always a good team man, he's become even better at that if he could become better at that. He has always had high principles, he's maintained them. Players knew where they stood beforehand, now they doubly know because he's captain.

"It's been a wonderful story so far, and I take my hat off to him."

Collingwood star Leon Davis says he wants to remain at Collingwood for the rest of his career after committing to the club until 2011.

"I struggled early with homesickness and stuff like that, but the club was great to me," Davis said.

"So in the end I just really wanted to stay at Collingwood and look after them like they did me.

"I'm just happy to be here for the next couple of years now and at the end of the day see how I'm feeling."

A mass of possessions has seen Magpie Dane Swan overtake Gary Ablett as the punter's favourite to win the Brownlow.

"His last 10 weeks have basically seen him force his way to favouritism, while Ablett missed round 15 then he had a couple of quieter games. Judd has also been quiet over the past two weeks," TAB Sportsbet's Gary Davies told afl.com.au.

"Not only is he favourite, but he's a clear-cut favourite."

Dynamic midfielder/forward Leon Davis has re-signed with Collingwood until the end of 2011.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says Anthony Rocca is clearly in the best 22 and has high hopes he'll return in time for finals.

"We're very, very keen to get Anthony as many games as we can leading up to the finals," Malthouse said on radio SEN.

"He's got a massive heart, there's nothing left over with Anthony Rocca, he just gives everything he possibly can."

Magpie captain Nick Maxwell says newly appointed assistant coach Nathan Buckley will have to adjust to being a coach to his former teammates.

"I suppose he has got a challenge of changing his relationships a little bit. He's a mate and a teammate to a lot of players," Maxwell said.

"Now he's got to look into being a coach. He's got a couple years to develop those relationships and change them a bit."

Darren Crocker says Nathan Buckley's decision to go to Collingwood hasn't change his attitude to wanting to be North senior coach.

"The Nathan Buckley thing really has not been at the forefront of my thinking anyway," Crocker said.

"Since I got the job, it has always been what I can do in the 10 weeks I got given with these guys.

"I have been steadfast in that, I have now got five weeks to go and we are just full steam ahead with what we need to be doing to become a better team by the end of the season."

Nathan Buckley and Jason McCartney were influential in the poaching of NRL star Karmichael Hunt by the Gold Coast.

Buckley and McCartney were employed by the league's game development department to verify Hunt's skills.

"Technically he's very good," McCartney told the Herald Sun.

"He kicked the ball really well that day ... This was only a very brief session, but he just had a bit of a kick, then we put him in the middle and Bucks and I just kicked the footy into his hands and then from either side. He just had to turn, handball off and kick.

"He's very coachable. One of the things we noticed straight away was his natural reaction to want to grab the ball on the chest with a rugby technique. And we said to him that in our game we encourage people to use their hands. Straight away he made the adjustment."

Former Lion Cameron Wood's departure to Collingwood has allowed Mitchell Clark to shine in the ruck for Brisbane.

"He was up here for a few years and it was sad to see him go," Clark said.

"I suppose I see myself as more of a forward and at the moment I'm just developing my game in the ruck, whether that continues on in the years to come who knows."

Nathan Buckley was eager to be involved in one of football's most innovative coaching arrangements once Mick Malthouse gave the deal his seal of approval.

"Since I met with Mick early last week and again on the weekend it was evident it to me that it was something he was prepared to embrace," Buckley said.

"Something that he thought was a great idea for the football club, for me and for his continuation as a very strong leader at the Collingwood Football Club.

"It really was an opportunity that, once that hurdle was overcome as far as getting Mick's tick of approval, because that was the only thing that it was going to take for me to know that this was a valid alternative, it was really very easy for me."

Mick Malthouse to become director of coaching in 2012, when new assistant Nathan Buckley will take over the reins at Collingwood.

"This is a wonderful day for the Collingwood football club, with two of the most respected people in football uniting to secure our future success," Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said.

"This arrangement could not have come together without enormous goodwill from Mick and Nathan, two of the greatest servants in the club's history."

Nathan Buckley cancels an interview with Richmond, confirming that he will be named as an assistant coach at Collingwood.

Dayne Beams' performance against Carlton on Friday night has seen him nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star.

"It's been a little bit of an adjustment in terms of the weather and traffic but I'm loving it here. I actually like it a lot better than the Gold Coast," Beams said.

"I've always loved my footy and in Melbourne that's all it is. Everyone talks about footy. I'm really enjoying my time here.

"All my teammates are fantastic and I really enjoy being around them. It's good and hopefully we can have some success towards the end of the year."

Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley agrees to be interviewed by Richmond for coaching job next week.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has accepted in principle a deal that would see him work next season with Nathan Buckley.

On the verge of playing his 150th match, Collingwood's Alan Didak says he has left his past off-field indiscretions behind him.

"In previous years I was probably 30 per cent footy and 70 per cent enjoying my time with my mates and family and not too worried about footy," Didak said.

"But now it's probably the other way around. I really am at a stage where I want to be a full-time footballer, I've worked hard on a few areas and it's starting to pay off."

Josh Fraser undergoes knee surgery that will see him out of the Collingwood side for at least two weeks.

The Magpies' big man aggravated his knee against the Bulldogs in Round 15, but coach Mick Malthouse today said it was the remnants of the injury suffered in last year's Hall of Fame game.

"Josh will go in and have a little op, probably today or tomorrow," Malthouse said.

"It's just nagging, so we just needed to do something about it."

Michael Malthouse and Nathan Buckley are increasingly likely to work together again at Collingwood next year.

It is understood they have come to an in-principle arrangement with the club for Malthouse to continue as senior coach, with Buckley his senior assistant.

It is believed they are acceptable to a handover of responsibilities at the end of 2011, when Buckley would become senior coach.

Mick Malthouse and Nathan Buckley met on Monday in an attempt to consider a coaching future together at Collingwood.

Around this time last year, when Dick was in the middle of a 12-month recovery from surgery to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, that's the dark place this richly talented, whippet-like Aboriginal footballer found himself.

He wanted to quit his AFL dream and return home to Western Australia.

He then suffered a second cruel blow when a close cousin died.

Suddenly the footy club, Lexus Centre and Melbourne was a million miles from where he wanted to be.

"I had a lot of down time when I wasn't playing. I hated it," Dick recalled this week.

"It was worse because it was in Perth. I had a couple of mates come down there watching me. It happened in the second quarter, so I really didn't get into the game."

Exciting forward Paul Medhurst is about to play his 150th game but admits he thought he would never get there.

"It was looking pretty shaky there for a while," Medhurst said.

"I thought I might be stranded on 99 games which would have been pretty disappointing but the last three years have been very positive and hopefully (there's) a few more."

Collingwood coach Michael Malthouse says he would be comfortable working with Nathan Buckley if Buckley served as an assistant under his guide.

"I work with anyone, I've worked with Nathan in the Australian side," Malthouse said.

"I've had a variety of assistant coaches ... regardless of who they are, they're given responsibilities because I think that they are people that you can trust.

"They trust me, they go forward because I give them opportunity and that's the way it works. It matters not who the assistant coaches are."

Dane Swan and Alan Didak have been sensationally backed to win the Brownlow Medal in recent weeks, with bookmakers now rating both players among the top half-dozen chances to win football's top award.

TAB Sportsbet's Gary Davies said while Geelong's Gary Ablett remained outright favourite at $3, the weight of support for the Collingwood pair meant the star Cat's price had eased.

Carlton champ Chris Judd is second pick at $3.50 and his price remained steady after a solid performance against Richmond at the weekend.

Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca says he is two or three weeks away from making his return from an achilles injury.

"I would love to be out there right now but the fact is I can't. I have a sore achilles at the moment and it's not letting up. It's looking to be two or three more weeks," he said.

When Dane Swan decides to add to his personal tattoo collection, he doesn't muck around.

Recently he added a dramatic "sleeve" tattoo that captivated the footy world and left mothers Australia-wide praying the trend cools off.

Last week when he added more ink, he went to an expert.

"My sister and me just got the family motto tattooed by a guy who is the Guinness world record-holder for the most tattoos in the world," Swan said.

Dane Swan says the Collingwood players want Mick Malthouse as their coach next year but are aware the decision is out of their hands.

"Mick is the only guy that has coached me and he has made me into the player I am today, so I would love him to coach next year," Swan said.

"But none of the players makes the decision so it will be up to the board and Mick whether they want him to stay on."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says he will not chase Barry Hall next year.

"If Paul Roos and Brett Kirk can't the get the best out of a bloke, and he's prepared to move with those blokes - who I have the highest admiration for - then I am not about to take that on," Malthouse said.

He has been touted as Nathan Buckley's right-hand man, but Geelong is confident assistant coach Brenton Sanderson will stay.

After re-signing senior coach Mark Thompson for two more years a fortnight ago, the Cats began discussions with their assistant coaches, in particular Sanderson, who has been linked to Buckley through his long-time friendship with the Collingwood champion.

"We have spoken to Sando in a fairly informal way and he is very keen to stay and we are very keen for him to stay," Geelong football operations manager Neil Balme said.

"We will go through the process now and I would be surprised if he were to go somewhere."

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury has been recalled for tonight's blockbuster against Essendon after missing just one match with a knee injury.

"We will not take chances against something that's not right, but if it is right, I can't see any reason why the player doesn't play," Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said.

"How severe it looked and how severe it was are two different things.

"There's no question he sustained an injury but there's also no question that his resolve and his ability to work back two years ago . . . he broke a bone in his foot and was going to miss six but he missed two because he was able to carry it.

"He went well in the fitness test, so now it's up to the medical staff."

Collingwood coach Michael Malthouse says it is now up to the medical staff to decide if Scott Pendlebury will play after straining the medial ligament in his knee against Sydney two weeks ago.

"He went well with the fitness test, now it's up to the medical staff," Malthouse said after training on Thursday.

"We will not take chances... but if it is right I can't see any reason why the player doesn't play."

Star Essendon midfielders Jobe Watson and key position player Adam McPhee could both play on Friday night against Collingwood.

"(Watson)'s recovered pretty well, pretty quickly, so we'll give him a test this morning and we'll weigh it up after that," assistant coach Scott Camporeale said.

"(McPhee)'s got a pretty good record against (Travis) Cloke when we've played previously - he trained fully on Tuesday and he'll have another fitness test today as well, just to make sure he's cherry ripe, ready to go."

Veteran Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca has again succumbed to injury.

Rocca is unlikely to see senior action for at least another month, with the Magpies deciding to spell the power forward after he felt soreness in the same achilles that troubled him earlier this season.

Paul Medhurst is confident he can hold his place in the Magpies' side for the clash with Essendon despite some returning stars.

Medhurst played his first senior game since Round 6 on Saturday when he was a late replacement for Leon Davis, who was suffering from a cold.

Davis is certain to return this Friday night, while Scott Pendlebury, who missed last week with a knee injury, is also in contention after training this morning.

"I was having a flash back to my days at Fremantle three years ago when they won nine in a row and I couldn't get back in the side," Medhurst said.

"But Leon's coming in and Scott's coming in, so someone's coming out."

Mark McVeigh has been suspended by Essendon from Friday night's clash with Collingwood for missing a training session.

"Mark was unfortunately out socialising on Sunday and missed the training session on Monday," Essendon coach Matthew Knights said.

"That being the case, his preparation has been hindered for Friday night's game.

"He'll be playing the VFL and can regain some form and fitness there.

After a quiet first half, Dale Thomas dramatically upped his form against Freo on Saturday to finish with an equal season-high 21 disposals.

"I needed to improve, because I did absolutely stuff-all in the first half," Thomas said after the game.

"As a group, Mick said a few of us needed to lift at halftime, and I gathered that was me.

"You know how well you're going yourself throughout the game, and you never want to play bad. It was just good to get out there and get a bit more of it in the second half."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says the form of Brad Dick and Alan Didak is keeping Paul Medhurst out of the side.

"He's not replacing players who play in a similar position because there's no automatic selection for anyone. When his form is better than those around him and there's an availability... he gets into the side," Malthouse said.

"We're not going to accommodate him by saying 'well one's more experienced than the other or one's better than the other."

Maribyrnong Park will take the unusual step of filming Brodie Holland in a bid to deter opponents from targeting the high-profile onballer.

"As far as we're concerned, we'll be taping every game and be taping what is happening to him in the game. Our protection is we'll be taping him specifically to see if there is anything untoward." club president Glenn Allison said.

Fremantle's needs for a small forward might see Hayden Ballantyne debut against Collingwood on Saturday.

"He plays at a really high tempo, so it wouldn't matter whether he played at WAFL level or AFL level, it would be the same risk," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said about Ballantyne.

"If you have a look at Collingwood, and possibly sides that have beaten them this year, sometimes a small forward can hurt them."

Dane Swan has thrown his support behind veteran forward Anthony Rocca, saying he is still a key member of the Magpies.

Rocca has played just three senior games this season while battling various injuries that include a persistent groin strain, but remains a viable option as centre-half forward Travis Cloke's form slump continues.

"We certainly want him back in the side, he adds a dimension we don't really have, someone we can use to get out of jail - kick it long, create a contest," Swan said.

Melbourne is committed to playing Jack Watts in the seniors whenever it reasonably can this season and says early sceptics of its schoolboy No. 1 draft pick should bite their tongues.

"From what we've seen thus far we couldn't be any more pleased," Demons football manager Chris Connolly said yesterday.

"Jack's played against Collingwood in a big game, against Essendon in a big game, and I don't think he's looked out of place at all.

"We won't see the best of Jack for four years. Tell me what Jack Watts is doing in four years' time, then make comment.

"I expect at some stage during the year he may be rested, he may not. It just depends how he's coping."

Collingwood expect small forward Paul Medhurst to finally push for selection after missing six games to injury.

"Paul will do everything this week and he'll put his hand up for selection," Collingwood football chief Geoff Walsh said on Monday.

"He put his hand up last week and fortunately for us we were in a position that we'd been able to string a few (good) games together and he just missed, but didn't miss by much.

"He's missed a lot of footy, but (has had) 10 to 14 days of training, and he did play in the VFL the week before last, so conditioning-wise he's around about the mark."

Collingwood has received better-than-expected news, with Scott Pendlebury only likely to miss a week with a knee injury.

The emerging star strained the medial ligament in his knee against Sydney in the Magpies' 23-point win on Saturday night.

Pendlebury went down early in the match and did not return to the field, giving rise to fears the injury would keep him out for at least a month.

But the Pies were optimistic today, saying he could be back in two weeks.

"Pendlebury's been in this morning. Our docs and physios have checked him over. He's got a strained medial ligament. In a super-positive situation he could miss one week, but we think it's more likely to be in the realms of 2-3 games," football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"So, all in all it's a pretty good result given they always look nasty and you fear the worst with knee injuries."

Four wins on the trot have Collingwood nearing the consistency that is required for a top-four finish after a slow start to 2009 says Simon Prestigiacomo.

"That was something we struggled with at the start of the year with consistency, we were kind of win-loss-win-loss," he said after Collingwood's win over Sydney.

"It's good to get a run on and hopefully we can continue playing the sort of footy we played tonight for the rest of the year," Prestigiacomo said.

"It was probably one of our downfalls at the start of the year, but [it's been pleasing] to get a few wins on the trot and a bit of consistency and get everyone regularly playing and gelling well together".

Leon Davis is on the verge of signing a deal that should see him remain a Magpie for the rest of his career.

"In the early part of Leon's career, he would admit that he struggled to find some consistency," Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh said.

"But the hallmark of his games over the past 2 1/2-to-three seasons has been his consistency.

"Everyone knew he has elite talent, but he puts that on display in more games now. His skills have always been sublime; I just think we are seeing them much more regularly."

Eleven rounds into the season, John Anthony has seemingly come from nowhere to make the focal point of the Collingwood forward line his own.

"We feel confident as a backline that whenever we give him the ball he is going to kick a goal, and the team will be rewarded," Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell said.

"That is a massive feather in his cap, and an outstanding attribute to have at his age."

Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser says he'll have his work cut out against Sydney's Darren Jolly tonight.

"He's regarded as probably the in-form ruckman in the competition so it will be good to see where I sit," Fraser said.

"He's been a big part of the Swans make-up this year with obviously his strength for getting down on the ball and being able to push forward and kick goals."

North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer urges his club to chase Nathan Buckley as coach of the Kangaroos in 2010 .

"Buckley's obviously number one in everyone's mind, but I'm sure they're not just going to look at Buckley, they'll look at a few guys and go through some sort of a process," Archer said.

"But why Nathan would probably be on top of their list would be the off-field stuff - he can bring so many supporters and sponsors, and just drag money in to the footy club.

"And unfortunately, for a team like North, you've got to look at both sides of the fence - on-field and off-field - when you're looking at a coach."

On the eve of a match he says could be a turning point, Travis Cloke gives a bleak assessment of his season to date.

"So far I'd describe it as pretty average to poor," he said of his 2009 form thus far.

"It hasn't been great. I've probably trained as hard as I ever have and had a pretty good pre-season although it was a little bit interrupted, but you have them.

"I'm really just looking forward to this second half of the year now and just focusing on the next 11 rounds plus finals."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has thrown his support behind Mick Malthouse, saying he wants the Magpies coach to stay at the club beyond this year.

"I'd love to see him there next year, definitely," Cloke said.

"I reckon he's a great coach and I reckon he's still got a lot more to give as a senior coach and hopefully it is at Collingwood.

"As a person he's a great bloke; he seems to know what he wants and as a coach he's exceptional.

"He's got great people around him, which also helps also."

Brothers Heath and Rhyce Shaw will play against each other on Saturday night for the first time in their careers.

"It was pretty much a dream of ours to play together and I do miss it," Rhyce said.

"He's always been my little brother and I've never played against him in anything. It's going to be weird going up against him and all my old mates down at Collingwood but I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

"Before the game, he's my brother and after the game, he's my brother but out on the field, he's another player."

The AFL's most watched coach-in-waiting, Nathan Buckley, is furthering his coaching education this week with American college football team Notre Dame.

Buckley was due to arrive at Notre Dame yesterday with AFL officials on an AFL-sponsored trip that will enable him to meet senior Notre Dame officials, including the head coach of the famed "Fighting Irish", Charlie Weis.

"It's part of Nathan's personal development to be better prepared to be involved in football at some stage down the track," Buckley's manager, Craig Kelly, said.

"A player from the Daicos era said he had played with Daicos and watched Didak closely. He says Didak is better," Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was quoted as saying.

Former Magpie Peter Daicos says he is unperturbed by the comments.

"The only thing I would ask is did Mick Malthouse make comparisons between any other players he selected? It would seem strange he only did it with me and Alan Didak," Daicos said.

"I guess you would need to speak with Mick. People did raise it with me, but I've got to say I don't really care. It's a comment without a name to it."

Collingwood expects Nathan Brown to recover in time to face the Sydney Swans despite the key defender playing for less than a quarter of his side's Queen's Birthday win over Melbourne.

"There's just a bit of bleeding from his quad down into the knee capsule but our docs are fairly confident that with the week off he should be right for selection for the Swans game," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes says Jack Watts' debut against Collingwood will now take some pressure off the 18-year-old.

"When I played my first game, no-one knew. It was down at Geelong at Kardinia Park," Stynes said.

"I suppose Jeff White was our biggest recruit in a long time. But with Jack playing now it probably takes a bit of pressure off, because he can now go back and get himself bigger and better and it'll come."

Light and lithe, Magpie Brad Dick showed he has what it takes to succeed in the AFL with a star turn against the Dees.

Dick kicked five goals against Melbourne to earn a NAB AFL Rising Star Nominee for round 11 after returning to the Collingwood side following recovery from a knee injury.

"It was really hard with my knee. All my mates were playing football and I wasn't. I didn't know if I could keep going mid-way through the season but I stuck to it and all the boys got around me at training and kept me smiling," he said.

"I had Simon Prestigiacomo in the weights room with me and he kept me going every day. To get knowledge off guys that had injured their knees like Tarykyn Lockyer, Rhyce Shaw and Alan Didak was great."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says number one draft pick Jack Watts will play his second game in a fortnight after Monday's eight-possession debut against Collingwood.

"It's just good that Jack's played a game and ... got it out of the way, so he can look forward to his next game," Bailey said.

"He'll learn from today and he'll understand the speed and the pace of the game, as most players do after their first game.

"He was OK, but it was always going to be a tough job for him to come out and play his first game."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien senses he is about to witness up close the start of a memorable career for Melbourne forward Jack Watts in his debut game.

"I actually look forward to seeing him out there, because from all reports he's going to be a great player,'' O'Brien said.

"I feel privileged to be playing in the first game he plays - good luck to him, I wish him all the best.''

Nathan Brown has sung the praises of teammate Simon Prestigiacomo, saying the Magpies defence is reinvigorated by his form.

"I'm really happy to be playing with Simon," he said.

"He's such a great player and person to be around, especially for myself personally and the team and the backline.

"He's got so much experience, and it comes across he's a really quiet bloke but he's just got so much wisdom to give to the team, especially to me."

Star midfielder Dane Swans downplays his efforts after a stunning 48-possession haul against Port Adelaide.

"After a win, you can probably reflect on your own game, and I didn't really notice until three or four minutes to go when we had the game won," Swan said after the Pies' 38-point victory.

"The crowd was going berserk and all the boys were whispering in my ear and trying to get it to me.

"Stats are the least important though; we got a win. It was good fun in the last three or four minutes, but for the first 115 minutes it was all about the win."

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury says possessions are over-rated in the modern game.

"The way footy goes now it's a bit more of a keeping-off theme than what it used to be," Pendlebury said.

"In terms of disposals it's what you do with them. You can get a lot of easy football but if you hurt the opposition with your possessions, then they're the ones that count."

Magpie Brad Dick returned to Perth a winner after overcoming the West Coast Eagles and a knee reconstruction.

"I did my knee down in Albany against the Eagles, so I was a bit nervous within myself playing again. But it was just good to be part of the win especially on Indigenous Round," Dick said.

"All the boys that have done a knee know just how hard you've got to work to get back out on the field."

A shot has been fired into the home of Collingwood star Travis Cloke.

It is believed the young Magpie was alone at home when a bullet shattered an upstairs window of his family's Ringwood North house.

Collingwood's Tarkyn Lockyer says Mick Malthouse has the full support of all players.

"Mick's coaching probably as well as I've ever seen him coach," he said.

"These are very difficult times but you know Mick's one of those people that gets the best out of what he's got available."

First-year coach Michael Voss urged Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley to follow his instincts and take a senior role next year.

"He will have a very definite thought about what he thinks the right way to go about it is. If he thinks that's next year, then go for it," Voss said.

"If he's ready to do it, go for it. You have to back yourself in eventually. You don't want to do it flippantly without any background at all. But if you have got a belief you can do it, then back yourself in, because that takes courage also to be able to do that."

Sean Rusling has broken his cheekbone while playing a VFL match against Coburg.

"It's very disappointing because he was doing so well" Collingwood VFL coach Gavin Brown said.

"We played him across half-back and he was going well, so it was disappointing,"

Marty Clarke has been cleared of tripping, and has avoided investigation despite touching an umpire.

Collingwood is likely to lose another key forward for tonight's clash with St Kilda with Medhurst set to miss with an injured ankle.

Paul Medhurst is expected to be a late withdrawal from Collingwood's team against St Kilda, as the forward missed training.

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell is still confused about the bump.

"I'm definitely in doubt," he said when asked about the rule's interpretation during a panel discussion yesterday at the St Vincent's Institute breakfast.

"You've just got the split second to decide what to do," Maxwell said.

A bigger, stronger and more confident Zac Dawson gets his chance to redress one of the AFL's worst mismatches on Monday night when he meets Anthony Rocca again.

Anthony Rocca and Heath Shaw look set to return to Collingwood's team for the clash with St Kilda on Monday.

Paul Medhurst is a big chance to play in the Magpies' clash with St Kilda on Monday night as he recovers from an ankle injury.

"Medhurst will be a chance and the 10 days will help him a lot," Magpies captain Nick Maxwell said.

"A couple of our guys are a bit sore so the longer break gives them more of a chance to heal."

Three years after his first very public humiliation at the hands of Anthony Rocca, Zac Dawson may be on the verge of the ultimate redemption with the two expected to face each other again.

John Anthony and Simon Taylor face time on the sidelines for on-field indisgretions.

Anthony was offered a week for headbutting Kangaroo Scott Thompson in the groin while Taylor has been handed a two-match ban for rough conduct against Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin.

An unusual headbutt by Collingwood forward John Anthony is to come under scrutiny today.

Anthony was seen to have driven his head into North Melbourne's Scott Thompson's groin region during the third quarter of their clash.

Late inclusion Sharrod Wellingham was a strong performer with 23 disposals for the Magpies against North after spending five weeks in the VFL to start 2009.

"It was frustrating. They just wanted me to show a bit of consistency in the twos before they’d bring me back in," Wellingham said.

"I knew I'd have to keep working. There are a few areas like my kicking that lets me down. As soon as I got that back up I knew I'd be straight back in."

Alan Didak will miss at least another two matches for Collingwood with a hamstring injury.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh returned savage fire on Grant Thomas's accusation that Magpie ruckman Josh Fraser "dogged it".

"Talking about players dogging it, Grant might be eminently qualified," Walsh said.

Assistant coach Brad Scott has defended ruckman Josh Fraser, who 'broke even' with Anzac Medallist Patrick Ryder.

"I've said to Josh, 'You play high-level sport then you expect criticism at some stage'," Scott said.

"Grant Thomas is a respected ex-coach who’s entitled to his opinion. You know, it's not one I happen to agree with, but the criticism that Josh has received he's got to deal with and move on."

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell defends teammate Josh Fraser after the Magpie ruckman was accused by Grant Thomas of having 'dogged it' against the Bombers.

"Because one person says something doesn't mean it's true. So one person makes a comment and people think that's gospel," Maxwell said.

"Anyone inside the club is all the opinion that matters. So Josh hasn't worried about it at all."

Collingwood's Josh Fraser has been urged to play with greater intensity after he was accused of football's cardinal sin.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas accused Fraser of "dogging it" in a contest with Essendon's David Hille.

"To see Josh Fraser dog it when Hille ran at him when that ball was up for grabs, and jump out of the way, and then two minutes later for Hille to do his knee, which was terrible for him, it really set the scene for Collingwood," Thomas said on SEN radio.

"And then for Ryder, unannounced, to come into the ruck and take it to Fraser, who was really, really poor, was disappointing.

"It reinforced itself a bit later when Ryder came on and there were two tackles I remember that Fraser just let people just walk through him."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse believes forward Anthony Rocca still has a lot to offer the club despite some ordinary form to start 2009.

Malthouse believes Rocca can be a valuable mentor to up and coming Magpie forward Jack Anthony.

"Don't forget Anthony Rocca has been out for a number of weeks and hasn't had a massive pre-season," Malthouse said.

"Anthony Rocca is a very, very important player for this football club.

"When he gets enough games under his belt, he will be that instructive type of person that Jack Anthony needs."

Magpie Josh Fraser feels honored to be part of Collingwood's traditional Anzac Day clash against the Bombers.

"I always look forward to playing on Anzac Day," Fraser said.

"You gain a better understanding of what the Diggers went through and the history of Australia. It's great to be able to play a game of football and honour the Anzacs."

On the eve of Magpie full back Simon Prestigiacomo's 200th game, Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse admits he initially doubted Prestigiacomo's abilities at first.

"I thought when I first arrived here that we seriously needed to consider another full-back," Malthouse said.

"I just think it's testament to his durability, loyalty to his football club, he's not one ounce of a problem in that you set him a task and he does it.

"I just feel so privileged to be part of his big day and it just happens to be a massive day for the football club and it's a credit to him."

Collingwood Mick Malthouse says veteran forward Anthony Rocca has pulled up sore from last week's win while draftee Steele Sidebottom may debut on Anzac Day.

Collingwood has avoided any penalty from the AFL after club executives met with league boss Andrew Demetriou to discuss umpiring standards as well as issues arising from the Magpies' match against the Brisbane Lions.

Collingwood winger Jaxson Barham is awarded the Round Four Rising Star nomination after an impressive debut game against the Lions.

Jaxson tallied 17 kicks, 11 handballs, 9 tackles and 6 marks whilst playing opposed to key Lions midfielder Luke Power in wet conditions.

Collingwood defender and Anzac Day medallist Heath Shaw will miss Saturday's Anzac Day clash with Essendon because of a hamstring injury.

The AFL has cleared umpire Scott McLaren who was accused by Collingwood of pushing Shane O'Bree of its players during a match.

Collingwood, however, will be asked to explain comments allegedly made by its officials to the media regarding the incident.

Shane O'Bree has celebrated his 200th game for Collingwood with a crucial victory over the Lions.

Eddie McGuire has slammed claims by Dave Hughes that Collingwood supporters chanted cruel insults at Gary Ablett.

Collingwood midfielder Shane O'Bree says he now knows what people meant when they told him footy careers go quickly.

O'Bree will line up for his 200th game when the Magpies meet his former club Brisbane at the Gabba tonight.

"When you first start your career you are just happy to play one game," O'Bree said.

"Then people tell you when you play your first game to make the most of it as it goes quick, and it does go quick.

"It's a great achievement and I've been lucky enough for Collingwood to give me the opportunity and hopefully we can get a win."

Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca feels like a rookie again before his long-awaited AFL comeback against the Brisbane Lions tonight.

"It's very exciting, I feel like a young kid again," Rocca said

"There's excitement and nerves, but I'm sure once I get out there I'll know what to do.

"The body feels great. I feel like I've had a couple of good knocks in the past couple of weeks and feel physically ready."

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss believes Anthony Rocca's inclusion is a big boost for Collingwood ahead of Friday night's blockbuster.

Collingwood spearhead Anthony Rocca appears set to return against the Lions on Friday night.

Gold Coaster Dayne Beams rejected a three-year deal from Collingwood in order to be out of contract when the AFL's 17th side enters the competition in 2011.

Nick Maxwell has received strong endorsement for his physical brand of football and fledgling leadership from former skipper and assistant coach Gavin Brown.

"It is always a possibility that can happen, but he is beyond his years in maturity and, to be honest, he has always played that brand of footy, he has always been hard and tough," Brown said.

"I just think he has been a bit unfortunate, really, a bit stiff, but that is the way it goes and he knows that. He has been exceptional. He realises his limitations and he is not trying to be someone he is not. I have been pretty impressed."

A band of renegade Magpie fans chanted cruel insults at Geelong champ Gary Ablett about his fallen father using the words "Your dad is a murderer".

Heath Shaw has been suspended for one game and fined $1950 fine after pleading guilty to making intentional contact with an umpire.

Collingwood's Tarkyn Lockyer says he doesn't want Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell to change the way he approaches football.

Maxwell has accepted a two-match penalty for engaging in rough conduct against Geelong's Steve Johnson their clash on Easter Thursday.

Tarkyn Lockyer fears the Tribunal will make an example of Heath Shaw for touching an umpire.

Collingwood midfielder Tarkyn Lockyer doesn'tlike teammate Heath Shaw's chances of escaping suspension for intentional umpire contact.

"I think the umpires and the AFL and the tribunal make it pretty clear that you’re not supposed to touch the umpires," he said.

"I think every player throughout the league should know that you don't touch the umpire."

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell accepts the Match Review Panel's two-match suspension for rough conduct.

Former AFL umpire Darren Goldspink believes Collingwood's Heath Shaw should be penalised for touching an umpire.

Heath Shaw risks missing weeks after being charged with manhandling an umpire during Collingwood's loss to Geelong.

Geelong ruckman Mark Blake entered the clash with Collingwood knowing his role would be vital in the absence of injured teammate Brad Ottens.

Blake and youngster Trent West may not have been prolific ball-winners around the ground, but they at least established a clear dominance of their ruck duel with sole Magpie big man Josh Fraser.

Collingwood midfielder Shane O'Bree says some stats from Thursday night's loss to the Cats will help his side bounce back in the coming weeks.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says Anthony Rocca is getting closer to being selected.

Anthony Rocca and Dale Thomas are strong candidates to return to the Collingwood side for their Thursday night clash with Geelong.

Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley has set his sights on coaching at an AFL club next season.

"I definitely want to be involved in coaching at AFL level next year," Buckley said.

"As the year progresses and the closer it gets to the end, until I know what's available, all I'm doing is preparing myself as best I can.”

AIS/AFL assistant coach Nathan Buckley says the South African tour squad will learn valuable life lessons.

Buckley will travel overseas with the squad for the second year running, with the young guns set to visit cities and remote parts of the country as part of their development as potential AFL stars.

Dayne Beams will play against Melbourne on Saturday after Dale Thomas was a late omission.

Collingwood spearhead Travis Cloke speaks candidly of the assault that continues to haunt him, and a surprising off-field passion that defies the family stereotype.

Scott Burns is relishing the new challenge of being an assistant coach at West Coast.

West Coast assistant coach Scott Burns believes heavily-tagged midfielder Daniel Kerr should get more free kicks than he does.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has refused to rule out a surprise return of Anthony Rocca for tomorrow's match against Melbourne.

Collingwood young gun Ryan Cook is expected to be charged within days over a savage attack in country Victoria that left a man with horrific facial injuries.

Collingwood forward Paul Medhurst says his injury-hit summer won't stop him replicating his stellar 2008.

Collingwood great Nathan Buckley has taken the next step in his coaching career with the League confirming he will guide the Victorian Country under-16 side this year.

Buckley will coach the squad in the lead-up to the 2009 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships, to be held at the AFL's western Sydney facility in July.

Anthony Rocca and Heath Shaw both trained strongly on Wednesday, fuelling hopes they will return for Collingwood's clash with Melbourne.

Collingwood is not planning to formally complain about the umpiring during their round one loss against Adelaide.

"All anyone is talking about is the umpiring," Pert was quoted as saying. "We just need to understand the interpretations. We need explanations."

The free kick count was 18-14 in favour of the Crows during the round one match. Collingwood was also on the wrong side of the free-kick count in all four of their NAB Cup games.

But AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson said the league wasn't concerned about the club's public outburst so early in the season.

St Kilda say Raphael Clarke's hamstring injury may not be as severe as first feared, while Anthony Rocca is a chance to play in round two for Collingwood

Gary March expects Terry Wallace to see out this year as Richmond coach and has hit out at Eddie McGuire for throwing Kevin Sheedy's name into the mix.

Jared Petrenko made a dream start to his AFL career with a solid performance against Collingwood at the MCG.

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire yesterday clarified explosive comments directed at Richmond as pressure mounted on the Tigers.

"If the Tigers get walloped the next two weeks, the call for Kevin Sheedy to come back to Tigerland will be like an avalanche," McGuire said.

McGuire, who made the comments in his role as commentator on radio station SEN, said yesterday it had nothing to do with his presidency at the Magpies.

"I said it as a commentator. Not as the president of Collingwood," McGuire said.

Collingwood defender Simon Prestigiacomo says he won't be thrown by Adelaide's low-profile attack.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the Pies will not shift home games interstate to help clubs get better stadium deals

Anthony Rocca is ruled out of the Magpies 2009 season opener and may need five matches in the VFL to gain match fitness.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says bad deals done by the AFL continue to rob clubs of funds needed to survive in the competition.

Eddie McGuire has pledged his commitment to coach Mick Malthouse and warned Nathan Buckley was not necessarily the heir apparent.