COLLINGWOOD is working through the defensive deficiencies that have cost the club this season, coach Nathan Buckley says.

 

The Magpies have conceded the fourth most points (532) of any team in the AFL this season, at an average of 106.4 per game.

Figures also reveal the Pies have allowed more points from opposition clearances (124) in their back half than any other side.

 

Speaking at the Westpac Centre on Tuesday afternoon, Buckley said it was something the Magpies were aware of several weeks ago.

 

"The public are probably two weeks behind us on this one," Buckley said.

 

"We highlighted it after the Hawthorn game (round three). We were pretty disappointed with our ability to prevent large scores.

 

"It's been an issue we have been trying to address, but clearly we need to do more about it."

 

A frustrated Scott Pendlebury raised the subject publicly after the Pies' 46-point loss to Essendon on ANZAC Day, putting the acid on his team's ability to lock down defensively.

 

"They (Essendon) burnt us pretty badly by playing honest football. We started cheating," Pendlebury said.

 

Buckley said the defensive side of Collingwood's game was still a work in progress and he hoped there would be a significant improvement against St Kilda on Friday night.

"I think it's holistic. We're not defending as well as we would like to as a team. We're giving up too high a score," he said.

With injuries impacting on player personnel, Buckley said it was a challenge the club needed to find a way around.

"We've been taken to the cleaners by Hawthorn and Essendon, two very good sides, that have been able to maintain their composure and complete at a high rate," he said.

"Our structures are sound… it ends up becoming how committed you are to defending at the contest and then winning your one-on-ones behind the ball."

Buckley also said it was up to the players to adjust their defensive tactics, after umpires boss Jeff Gieschen gave his tick of approval to a contentious free-kick paid against Ben Reid against the Bombers.

"There's going to be a hell of a lot more frees than we've known in the past. And a hell of a lot more than are paid at the moment, if we interpret it that way," Buckley said.

Ben Guthrie covers Collingwood news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie