Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has opened up about the Magpies' draft strategy before Thursday's NAB AFL Draft on the Gold Coast.

The Magpies have picks 18, 19 and 20 following Adelaide's decision on Wednesday to withdraw its first two selections from the draft, which Buckley said helped the Pies approach.

Speaking at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast on Thursday, Buckley said the Magpies would get the best players available rather than targeting specific positional needs.

He said the Magpies felt there was "a lot of talent" in the top 20.

"Obviously the picks ahead of us are going to influence what choices you have but we're pretty confident we're going to have three really good players to bring in," Buckley said.

"If you had one pick then had to wait another 18 selections, you're probably more looking for type (of player) then.

"When you've got three in a row, you probably can be more liberal with it and go best at that pick and I think that's our philosophy."

Buckley said the Magpies were well stocked at every position on their list and could look for everything from midfielders to quality talls if they're still available.

One player linked to the Magpies has been exciting West Australian midfielder Dayle Garlett.

With some off-field discretions - including being booted from the AIS-AFL Academy - causing some clubs to baulk at drafting him, Buckley was non committal on Garlett.

"I'm as interested as anyone to see where he's picked up and where he goes and I hope for the young bloke that he gets an opportunity and that he takes it with both hands," he said.

"Football's always had a way of giving people chances … it's just a matter of those individuals taking them, so we'll see what happens.

Michael Whiting covers AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.