Collingwood intends to beef up its leadership program for 2014, but the question as to who will captain the club won't be answered until February next year.

Coach Nathan Buckley said the club intended to work on communication between the playing group, as well as between coaches and players before Christmas.

After a season where the Pies finished eighth after losing in week one of the finals, Buckley indicated that creating support for the leadership group was as important as who became captain.

"Leadership is an important thing for us, but it won't be one bloke," he said. "We need to continue to develop the depth of our leadership and that has been a strong focus out of our season review."

Premiership captain Nick Maxwell has been the club's on-field leader since 2009 and performed superbly in the role, winning a flag, an All-Australian selection and finishing top 10 in the club best and fairest four out of six seasons.

Scott Pendlebury shapes as his heir apparent, with the 25-year-old vice-captain winning two of the club's past three best and fairest awards.

Luke Ball, 29 and Dayne Beams, 23, were part of the official leadership group in 2013 while Harry O'Brien was relieved of his duties mid-season to work on personal issues.

Maxwell has already made it clear that he will accept whatever decision the club makes in relation to the captaincy.

With Scott Burns joining the coaching panel, the club now has every Collingwood captain since Buckley himself assumed the title in 1999 working within its four walls.

Just 15 players remain from the 2009 list - the year Maxwell began as captain - and 14 of the 22 who played in the club's most recent premiership in 2010.

Buckley has overseen 14 debuts in his two seasons as coach.

The 2014 season will see the introduction of Jesse White from the Sydney Swans, Patrick Karnezis from the Brisbane Lions and Taylor Adams from Greater Western Sydney.

Buckley said he saw leadership qualities in the 21-year-old Adams, having coached him at under-16s level.

"He's strong over the ball and a hard worker," said the coach.

He said Karnezis, a Collingwood supporter growing up, could be a handy third forward who could push up into the midfield as he built his tank.

Buckley was also impressed with White's performances in two finals in 2013 for the Swans and hoped he could continue his good form as a key forward and relief ruckman.

Buckley said the team remained a contender but it needed to be more consistent to finish in the top four.

"That consistency in our minds comes back to our preparation, comes back to our leadership, being harder on each other and being able to find that consistency within the group," he said.