Why Leigh Matthew admires Collingwood for Buckley handling

Leigh Matthews has urged the rest of the AFL to learn from Collingwood’s handling of Nathan Buckley’s future.

And he’s backing Bucks.

Buckley may coach his last game on Saturday, with the Magpies yet to decide whether the club champion will be re-signed.

The uncertainty has put Buckley in headlines all year, with some quarters even wondering whether the speculation has had an impact on the field.

But Matthews, a four-time premiership coach and current Brisbane Lions director, said it’s been a textbook strategy.

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“What we’ve got to do as a football industry is do what Collingwood have done,” he said.

“You’ve got to be prepared to let contracts run to the finish and then you make a decision when all the evidence is in.

“I admire Collingwood for having the strength to do that.

“The way Bucks has handled it has been outstanding.

“I think they’re still playing up to somewhere near their limit.

“So in terms of are they going to be better with a new coach? I don’t think they are. So I’d go with Bucks.”