COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley's effort to lift his Magpies from 13th to potentially this year's premier has seen him recognised as the AFL Coaches' Association Coach of the Year.
It is a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Buckley, who faced the prospect of losing his job last season as a club-wide review and scrutiny of his own job put everyone on notice.
The 2003 Brownlow medallist received 344 votes to edge out his Grand Final counterpart Adam Simpson (271), of West Coast, with Melbourne's Simon Goodwin (82) placing third.
BLACK AND WHITE ARMY Pies faithful turn out in droves for training
"I would like to acknowledge the football club for their faith (in me). Obviously, there was a review process 12 months ago and it could have gone either way," Buckley said.
"Perception is king generally, and the perception from inside the club was that we had enough of a positive direction … to stay the course with most of our people.
"The board and (chief executive) Peter Murphy and (football boss) Geoff Walsh, in particular, have been great support through this season."
Collingwood lost its first two games in 2018, but rebounded to finish in the top four before comfortably beating reigning premier Richmond in Friday night's preliminary final.
The Magpies had not qualified for the finals since 2013 until this season's heroics, with Buckley – in his seventh year as senior coach – always confident they weren't far away from a breakthrough.
The 46-year-old accepted the award, named in honour of four-time VFL/AFL premiership coach Allan Jeans, in front of more than 370 guests at Peninsula in Docklands.
AFLCA members voted on a 3-2-1 basis after the weekend's two preliminary finals, factoring in season performance, available resources, player talent and team management.
One of the biggest cases for Buckley to be the year's top coach is the way Collingwood has defied a series of long-term injuries to remain a flag contender.
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Adam Treloar, Jamie Elliott, Daniel Wells, Lynden Dunn, Matt Scharenberg, Darcy Moore, Tyson Goldsack and Ben Reid are among the Pies still sidelined or who have missed significant time this year.
Only Brenton Sanderson and Robert Harvey remained on Buckley's staff from last season.
Buckley appreciated receiving an award voted on by his peers, saying they had a "different perspective".
"Having said that, judging a senior coach's influence is one of the toughest things to do without being in the four walls, the inner sanctum," he said.
"This was 12 months in the making for us. We've had a fair few challenges thrown in front of us, as all clubs do, and … we've built up some really strong resilience as a result of that. I personally believe I have and I believe the playing group has and the club has and we're a stronger club for it."
Buckley described his coaching staff as "a fantastic, eclectic group of blokes that bring different strengths to the table".
AFLCA chief executive Mark Brayshaw said Buckley's strength under pressure and his ability to positively reverse Collingwood's on-field results made him a worthy winner.
"It's a terrific result for Nathan, because he's had an absolutely fantastic season after navigating last year's internal review with such class," Brayshaw said.
"Questions were asked about him and the club after the last few seasons, but he held his head high throughout and is now reaping the rewards.
"We congratulate him, his assistant and development coaches and also those around and above Nathan at Collingwood."
New North Melbourne addition Rhyce Shaw also became the first two-time assistant coach of the year recipient, winning ahead of Hawthorn's Chris Newman and Darren Glass.
Former Magpie and Swan Shaw, 36, was John Longmire's backline coach at Sydney this year after being in charge of the club's NEAFL team the previous two seasons.
Dual Kangaroos premiership coach Denis Pagan, who is also a former Carlton mentor, was also inducted as an AFLCA Coaching Legend on the night.
Pagan's former players Alastair Clarkson and Darren Crocker inducted him, while Adam Simpson, John Longmire and Mick Malthouse offered tributes to his mighty contribution.
He joins Kevin Sheedy, Leigh Matthews, David Parkin, Jeans, Tom Hafey, Ron Barassi, John Kennedy Snr, Malthouse and Malcolm Blight as a coaching legend.
Alan Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution in South Australia, while Western Bulldogs development coach Jordan Russell was the La Trobe Business School Career and Education Award recipient.
AFLCA coach of the year past winners
2017: Damien Hardwick (Richmond)
2016: Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
2015: Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
2014: John Longmire (Sydney)
2013: Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
2012: John Longmire (Sydney)
2011: John Worsfold (West Coast)
2010: Michael Malthouse (Collingwood)
2009: Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
2008: Mark Thompson (Geelong)
