COLLINGWOOD vice-captain Taylor Adams has opened up on the debilitating effects that heightening pressure on the club, and particularly coach Nathan Buckley, is having on the players.

The Magpies slipped to 15th as a result of a 24-point loss to Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday, with finals appearing out of reach as a decision on Buckley's future approaches.

"Obviously, guys handle it differently. I've stopped reading the papers and flicking through Twitter," Adams told radio station RSN927.

"But it's not just because of what's being said about Bucks; it's what's being said about our playing group and individuals.

"It's frustrating at times and can certainly have an impact on the way players feel. It can be a bit draining and it's never good seeing cameras at the footy club all the time. We've got to learn to deal with it.

"We're a big, powerful club that has a heap of supporters and gets a lot of media publicity, so it's part of our job and profession to deal with it.

"I think as a playing group, we're handling it pretty well and, obviously, Bucks is handling it really well and has all year or the last couple of years."

Adams, one of Collingwood's best midfielders, said external commentary about the club's on-field results was not what made players "feel the worst".

"It's the fact you put in a poor performance," he said.

"I'm already pissed off enough about the way we've played, let alone reading it in the paper or seeing it on the news."

There was plenty of attention on the Magpies' selection decisions last week, with experienced defender Ben Reid a shock omission and Josh Thomas playing his first game since a two-year doping ban.

Thomas and teammate Lachie Keeffe received two-year suspensions for testing positive to banned drug Clenbuterol.

"I live with Lachie Keeffe and both of those boys are two of my best mates," Adams said.

"They've been through absolute hell and I've only seen part of it. I can only imagine the dark times they endured when they were up in Brisbane living with their parents.

"Two years out of the game is a long time … for Josh to pick it up the way he has and come out on the weekend and perform the way he did speaks volumes about his character, his persistence and resilience.

"It was actually pretty emotional for us, because both of those boys have been such a big part of our footy club the last six or seven years."

Adams said Keeffe was in good form at VFL level and nearing an AFL return, and Reid would be in contention for an instant recall this weekend against Essendon.