COLLINGWOOD has employed a sports psychologist in another bid to improve Travis Cloke’s goalkicking.
Cloke was again wayward in booting 5.4 against St Kilda last Friday night. Despite playing an influential role in the Magpies' 74-point win, it was the forward’s two misses from directly in front, albeit on slight angles, that emerged as major talking points out of the game.
But Buckley said the club was confident the work of sports psychologist Daryl Marchant would play a key role in straightening up Cloke's and the rest of the team's goal kicking.
Buckley lauds Cloke's effort, if not execution
"The best goalkickers are very consistent, regardless of the circumstances," Buckley said on Tuesday morning.
"Trav's improved markedly in that. So we'll back the work that he's doing and that he'll continue with."
Marchant worked closely with Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd, and according to Buckley, played a key role in turning the full forward from a solid shot at goal to leading exponent of the set-shot craft.
The sports psychologist has been working with the Collingwood players once a week over the past fortnight.
Buckley said it was important for Cloke to stick to his routine regardless of the external distractions.
"The ability to be able to stick to routine regardless of circumstances that you're in (is crucial), whether it’s 10 metres out straight in front or 50 metres out on an angle," Buckley said.
"No two shots are the same, but you're wanting to have the same routine.
"So it's the composure and practice of routine to be able to go and execute."
Cloke has kicked 398 goals and 327 behinds during his 11-year AFL career.
The Magpie forward is likely to be shooting for goal in front of close to 100,000 people as Collingwood takes on Essendon in Saturday's showpiece Anzac Day clash.
According to Buckley, youngster Darcy Moore is a chance to debut after impressive form in the VFL in recent weeks.
Moore, who was pick No.9 in last year's draft, has been training as a defender and Buckley said the young tall was certainly in the mix for the huge game against the Bombers.
"He's playing some really good footy, Darcy," Buckley said.
"We've got some boys putting their hands up for selection in the VFL week in week out.
"When we're still settling and finding our best mix at the top, there will be changes. But we had some really good performers last week (against St Kilda) so I wouldn't imagine there would be too many."
Midfielder Taylor Adams trained strongly on Tuesday and will need to prove his fitness on Thursday to be in consideration for Saturday's game.
Buckley allayed fears of a major injury setback for Ben Reid, who underwent scans on Tuesday morning, having been unable to finish the Magpies' VFL game two days earlier.
"There's no muscle disruption. We're treating it like a mild corkie," Buckley said.
"He (Reid) may be running in two days. He may be a chance to play (VFL) this week.
Buckley dismissed the notion Reid would never play at the top level again.
"He just needs a bit of luck as much as anything, to get his hard work rewarded," he said of the 25-year-old.
