Buckley confident Pies have AFL depth
Collingwood leapt into the top four on Friday night, but the AFL club’s depth will be put under the microscope after a series of setbacks.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley was left counting the cost after trouncing St Kilda by 86 points at Etihad Stadium, with Steele Sidebottom’s rough conduct report capping a day of injuries.
Nick Maxwell tweaked his calf in the first quarter and is likely to be out for at least a month, while 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan (heel) and ruckman Brodie Grundy (back) were both last-minute scratchings.
A day before, Luke Ball was an enforced omission due to a calf niggle and, earlier in the week, defender Nathan Brown underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
Buckley revealed Patrick Karnezis, recruited from Brisbane in the off-season but yet to make his club debut, had tweaked his hamstring at training on Friday.
“We’ve lost a few with soft tissue, but that’s footy,” he added.
“That’s life in an elite environment at the top level – you’re looking for that improvement constantly.
“That’s why we have 45 players on a list and we work to develop the depth of it … we’re going to need it (depth) next week.”
Buckley expected Swan, Grundy and Ball would all be available for the traditional Queen’s Birthday fixture on Monday week.
The club will need to make a tough call on whether fit-again Ben Reid returns via the VFL or AFL.
“We’ll choose the fittest and hungriest 22 to play against Melbourne … we believe in the depth of our squad,” Buckley said.
Sidebottom’s time on the sidelines will be decided on Monday when the match review panel assesses his hit on Maverick Weller that came after the opening bounce.
Sidebottom surged off the wing, leapt high and clipped Weller’s head with his elbow.
Weller underwent a concussion test and played no further part in the game.
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson believed Sidebottom was going for the ball and did not try to pick off the man slated to tag Scott Pendlebury.
“Both guys were going for the footy,” Richardson said.
“It looked like it was about the ball to me.
“He (Weller) looks OK. He was in my meeting at the end.”