The biggest question for premiership sides going into the next season is obviously hunger. Countering that to some degree should be the fact that its Mick's last season as head coach of Collingwood, so you'd imagine he'd be going full tilt again for the prize.
What a dilemma if they happen to go back to back. Probably puts Buckley at a huge disadvgantage - player hunger, salary cap, supporter expectation, not to mention debate as to whether Mick should even move aside as Coach. Must admit, as a Collingwood fan, it would be a terrific problem to have.
I was not a huge Buckley fan as a player. By the way, the more I see of Goddard, the more he reminds me of him. There is a fine line between ambition and selfishness and I think many of us spectators can easily get the two confused. But there's no doubt Buckley has matured and has been a key ingredient to this year's success. Few would have done better apprenticeships, but (like Hird) the proof will be in the pudding.