Collingwood has employed a sports psychologist in its latest 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.
"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.