'Nothing but respect for Mick'

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says he has nothing but respect for former mentor Mick Malthouse. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has played down suggestions of a rift with Carlton coach Mick Malthouse ahead of Sunday's blockbuster encounter.

"There's plenty of people keen to drum that up and to try to make it an adversarial relationship,'' Buckley said today.

"I've got nothing but respect for Mick.

"I learnt a lot from him, played under him for a number of years as his captain and worked under him as an assistant coach in the plan to eventually become senior coach.

"We've had many frank discussions, not in recent times, (but) we've had many frank discussions about that situation.''

Buckley said he did not think there would be any pre-game acknowledgment between the two coaches before Sunday's clash.

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"I very rarely go to any of the opposition coaches on game day,'' he said.

"I caught up with Mick at the coaches' AGM last week, I will see him tomorrow morning at the Peter MacCallum breakfast and I am sure, watching the TV shows, I will see plenty of his head between now and Sunday.''

Buckley inadvertently brought some humour to the build-up when asked if the two coaches had had any recent conversations.

"He's the coach of Collingwood,'' he said of Malthouse before correcting himself.  ``He was ... he's the coach of Carlton.''

Dayne Beams (quad) will miss Sunday's clash and could be on the sidelines for a few more weeks, but Buckley remained confident Ben Reid (concussion) and Ben Johnson (thigh) will play.

Heath Shaw (illness) is a certain starter.

Buckley refused to rule out Dale Thomas, who missed yesterday's training session, but played 75 per cent of last week's VFL match.

Clinton Young, Alex Fasolo, Paul Seedsman and Andrew Krakouer are also in the mix.

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