Collingwood’s first-to-fourth year players may have left Falls Creek after a five-day camp, but coach Nathan Buckley is determined to see his side return to the Alpine location in years to come.

Buckley believes this year’s group of 23 players improved on the standard set last year and says improvements will continue as the Magpies pre-season continues.

“This is the second year in a row and we’ve done a little bit better this year than last,” Buckley said.

 “We’ve got some real momentum out of these camps so I think it’s something that we’d look to continue.”

GALLERY: View the best photos from an intense final day at Falls Creek.

Collingwood broke new ground ten years ago when it was the first AFL team to undertake a pre-season training camp in the high altitudes of Northern Arizona in the United States.  

While training at Falls Creek continues to provide players with training at altitude, Buckley says there are more important benefits.

“It’s at altitude, but we’re not looking for an altitude effect,” he said.

“We’re getting fit and doing some cultural work and team bonding at the same time.

“The players are absolutely dedicated to training, recovering and going again, as well as contributing to team meetings.

“When you get their hearts and minds as well as their bodies, it’s generally a pretty good result.”

Players such as Jamie Elliott, Taylor Adams, Jarrod Witts, Marley Williams and Jack Crisp have made their last trip to Falls Creek as they exit the first-to-fourth year bracket of players.

However after two years of sunshine and excellent hospitality, Buckley is enthusiastic to return in 2016.

“The Falls Creek management have bent over backwards to make us comfortable and to make sure all our needs are met,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic setting.”

In the short term however, the focus turns to making sure the benefits of the five-day camp are maintained when the players reunite with their older teammates at the Holden Centre on Monday.

“When they come up here, the shackles are off,” Buckley said.

“We talk about being able to maintain this type of environment when the heat is on, and keep this type of connection when the heat is on.”