Nathan Buckley is another – though more bullish – former great who is also attempting to make his mark as coach of the club he represented with distinction: a Brownlow, Norm Smith, six club best and fairests and a whopping seven All-Australian honours.
Much has already been said about Buckley this year and whether he is coaching for his future. I don't doubt that he'll be there in 2016 and it's not because his boss, Eddie McGuire, has said so. After all, how many times have we heard that coaches are safe, only for them to be turfed the next day?
No, I truly believe that Buckley now has the full support of his players. He has certainly done things the hard way by having his own clean-out of players, but the Magpies showed last year that they were a club united.
No one could have foreseen the challenges they faced, yet try, try and try the players did. Despite what people say, there is such a thing as an honourable loss and Collingwood's 2014 season could be defined as just that. Missing the finals wasn't because of a lack of effort.
Only time will tell if the Black and White army rallies behind Buckley again this year, but if it does, his job should be guaranteed – regardless of where the Magpies finish on the ladder