That view was challenged with a question from the floor - what about Travis Cloke?
A wry grin appeared on the coach's face as he admitted the questioner had made a fair point.
He then argued the case that Collingwood could restructure its forward line without Cloke.
"If that happens, it happens. We wouldn't feel any less confident about being able to beat any opponent we come up against," Buckley said.
Most Magpie supporters wouldn't share that confidence.
Cloke has taken 30 marks inside 50 and kicked 21 of his 22 goals from set shots so far this season.
The duo of Cloke and Jamie Elliott have taken more than 50 per cent of the Magpies' marks inside 50 this season and kicked 37 per cent of its goals.
The set shot has been Buckley's friend this year - his team has kicked 50 percent of its goals from marks.
Only Melbourne (53 per cent) and St Kilda (53.9 per cent) have a higher ratio of goals coming from marks.
Collingwood's dependence on Cloke is not unreasonable: he often takes his strong contested marks in dangerous places, deep forward.
And Quinten Lynch – despite just three marks inside 50 and three goals – is proving effective as a link between the forward and backlines.
A quick glance at the numbers shows most clubs struggle without their key forward.
Taylor Walker (Adelaide), Mitch Clark, Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Jarrad Waite (Carlton) Jonathon Patton (GWS) and Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) are the big names up forward to go down this year and their respective clubs have struggled to kick goals as a result.
Drew Petrie flies the flag at North Melbourne but the absence of Robbie Tarrant has hurt the Kangaroos and his teammate's effectiveness.
That's why any talk of whether Hawks might be better off without 'Buddy' Franklin should be discontinued. Good key forwards are hard to find.
The statistics also show which clubs are likely to be in the market for a key forward at the end of this year, and the possible targets.
The Saints' need is obvious.
Nick Riewoldt has taken 32 per cent of his team's marks inside 50 and kicked 24 per cent of their goals. It's a heavy burden for anyone to carry.
With Riewoldt past 30, and with Justin Koschitzke struggling, the Saints will be looking to give their skipper much needed support in his twilight years.
Ditto the Brisbane Lions and the need to replace or support Jonathan Brown.
The Western Bulldogs' Liam Jones has been good this year with limited opportunities but he would benefit from experience alongside him.
The question of who might be available at season's end is a trickier one.
Franklin is delaying negotiations with Hawthorn, and obviously won't lack for suitors if he becomes available.
Essendon has a surplus of key forwards with Scott Gumbleton likely to be on many clubs' shopping list.
The resurgent Bomber is on a one-year contract that is understood to carry conditions that might take it into a second, so he will be an interesting talking point post the grand final.
Michael Hurley, Stewart Crameri and future prospect Joe Daniher look to have Bombers' future in hand, particularly with Tom Bellchambers showing strong ability to take a mark inside 50.
The Kangaroos have Lachlan Hansen, Robbie Tarrant, Majak Daw and Aaron Black fighting to fill the two top spots next to Petrie who himself is an unrestricted free agent yet to re-sign. Daw is also in the final year of his contract.
The Swans also know about the importance of a good key forward, as their leading lights in this position are struggling.
With Sam Reid and Adam Goodes taking just 15 marks inside 50 between them this year, the return of Kurt Tippett in round 12 following his suspension can't come soon enough for the premiers.
