IF NATHAN Buckley's job of preparing Collingwood for a critical 2018 campaign wasn't challenging enough, Jordan De Goey's indefinite suspension for drink driving compounds the pressure on a club that made sweeping changes at the end of last year.
When De Goey is eligible for senior selection again is uncertain, while three other important players who missed round one last season due to injury are again under injury clouds leading into 2018.
Banished Pie De Goey included in team photo
De Goey (after receiving a three-game club-imposed suspension for lying about how he broke his hand, claiming he did it while playing with his dog when in fact he suffered the injury in a bar fight), Levi Greenwood (hip), Jamie Elliott (ankle) and Daniel Wells (calf) all missed the Magpies' 14-point opening-round loss to the Western Bulldogs last season.
As it stands, the same quartet are in danger of not being available again for a crucial first-up fixture against Hawthorn after injury-interrupted campaigns for the second year running.
De Goey suspended indefinitely, banished to VFL
Alex Fasolo (shoulder), Jeremy Howe (calf) and Darcy Moore (heel) are expected to feature in the JLT Community Series but have also been hampered through pre-season.
Elliott is at the "back end" of his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on his left ankle last November, but remains in doubt for round one. Wells has Achilles soreness and has been placed in rehab over the next fortnight and given his age and injury history won't be rushed back.
Magpie youngster caught drink driving
The calibre of players who have had interrupted pre-seasons would be the most concerning element for Collingwood.
Elliott and Fasolo were the Magpies' leading goalkickers last season; Moore was slated to fill a key defensive post; Wells adds class and polish to a midfield that lacks in this area; Greenwood adds grunt as a run-with player and De Goey is in the age bracket where he was expected to start influencing games.
De Goey's latest indiscretion heaps more pressure ahead of the Pies' critical year. Picture: AFL Photos
In essence, the Magpies might not have seven of their top-15 players at full fitness for the beginning of the season.
Pies star will be slowest to return from injury
These injury worries come even after the Magpies replaced fitness boss Bill Davoren by promoting Kevin White (who had been at the club for seven years after starting as a sports scientist) as part of a number of sweeping changes out of last year's much-publicised review.
Up to 20 changes – both internal positional changes and new appointments – were made after recommendations from interim CEO and chairman of the Collingwood Foundation Peter Murphy, who completed a review into all aspects of the operations of the club.
White's appointment was a significant one. The club felt a change of direction was needed after ongoing issues with injury prevention and management under the Davoren fitness regime.
White is popular among the players and his emphasis on players improving their fitness via match simulation, rather than simply running laps or completing repeat running efforts, was well received.
Premiership skipper Nick Maxwell's appointment as leadership and cultural manager was intended to help set standards for a group that needed guidance and improved morale.
Collingwood knows Maxwell's mandate will take time but De Goey's latest indiscretion underlines the work that needs to be done in this area.
For De Goey, rebuilding the trust of his teammates and those at the club will take time and how he responds will either make or break his football career.
The Magpies have a difficult run to start the home and away season, with games against Greater Western Sydney (round two), Carlton (round three), Adelaide (in Adelaide in round four), Essendon (round five) and Richmond (round six) following the opening-round clash against the Hawks.
For Buckley, who renewed his contract until the end of 2019 in August last year, potentially not having a full complement of players to pick from makes a pivotal period to navigate through that much tougher.
