COLLINGWOOD has begun sounding out potential appointments for a new look football department, with retired Western Bulldogs premiership player Matthew Boyd meeting coach Nathan Buckley.
The Magpies announced on Wednesday high performance manager Bill Davoren would depart the club and development coach Anthony Rocca would be offered a reduced role while Robert Harvey, Tarkyn Lockyer and VFL coach Jared Rivers would remain.
The decisions come after the Magpies re-appointed Buckley on Monday after an extensive review from football manager Geoff Walsh that examined coaching, development, list management, on-field leadership and conditioning.
With the decision on the senior coach made, the Magpies are looking to tinker with the football department mix for 2018.
The 35-year-old Boyd is among a range of candidates the Magpies are expected to sound out for vacant positions as it looks to restructure its football department.
His catch-up with the coach was understood to be a chance for both parties to get a feel for Boyd's intentions and Collingwood's plans.
Boyd played 292 games for the Western Bulldogs, captained the club, won three best and fairests and finished equal third in the 2011 Brownlow Medal.
Walsh said on Monday he would waste no time providing certainty to the out-of-contract assistants and changes were announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Assistant coach Scott Burns has accepted a new position under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn while Brenton Sanderson and Brad Gotch remain contracted for 2018.
The market for assistant coaches is expected to be competitive this season with many retiring champions ending their playing career at the same time.
Several players including Boyd, Bomber James Kelly and Greater Western Sydney's Steve Johnson are expected to attract interest from several clubs as they look to enter the coaching ranks.
Walsh took feedback from players and staff during the review and made a recommendation to the board that Buckley should be retained.
Lockyer has taken on an expanded role within the club's Academy Program while Harvey's role with the defence in 2017 has been well regarded and he will remain a senior assistant to Buckley.
Rivers has coached Collingwood's VFL team into the finals this season and Rocca has been offered a part-time role as ruck coach and bench duties on match day.
Davoren's departure is not unexpected with the Magpies appointing him in 2013 after Buckley's first season as coach.
The popular Rocca has coached at the club since his retirement at the end of 2009.
Walsh said on Monday the decision on Buckley would allow him to provide more certainty to the assistant coaches who were out of contract.
The Magpies are also expected to restructure its list management with the club expected to put more resources into the area.
