NICK Maxwell has received the considerable endorsement of Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley as the club searches for a new captain.

Maxwell was one of the leading candidates for the top job before Scott Burns was appointed prior to the 2008 season. Burns' subsequent retirement has left the club on the lookout for a new leader once again, but Buckley feels the club he captained for nine years should go with the 25-year-old defender.

"He's not the best player in the side, but he's the best leader," Buckley told Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun.

"Geelong has Tom Harley, who's not their best player, but he's a great leader.

"Anthony Rocca could do it, but he's getting toward the end of his career, so he'd only be there for one or two years.

"Scott Pendlebury will be a really good leader in a couple of years, so they might take a punt on him now.

"If I was still there I'd give it to Nick Maxwell."

Maxwell has commanded a regular berth in the senior side since making his debut against Adelaide in round nine of 2004 after being elevated from the rookie list that year. He has gone on to play 95 games, including six finals, playing mostly off half-back.

Maxwell took over Buckley's famed No.5 guernsey when he retired following the 2007 season and his leadership stocks rose considerably after the he shut down prolific Crows' onballer Scott Thompson in the upset elimination final win at AAMI Stadium last month. 

Burns was not named as Buckley's successor until March of this year and a similar timeframe appears likely for the appointment of the next skipper after coach Mick Malthouse promised a thorough and cautious selection process.