> Watch Mick Malthouse address the media ahead of coaching his 600th VFL/AFL matchCOLLINGWOOD won’t be rushed into making a decision on Mick Malthouse’s future.
The Magpies have formed a sub-committee to discuss whether or not the veteran coach’s contract will be extended beyond this season.
But the recent departures of Terry Wallace from Richmond and Dean Laidley from North Melbourne have not only opened the door for rival clubs to swoop on the 55-year-old, but also nab the services of apparent coach-in-waiting and Magpies favourite son Nathan Buckley.
When asked whether the Pies might be forced to make a move on their coach sooner than they had hoped – given the merry-go-round appears to have clicked into motion – Collingwood president Eddie McGuire seemed unfazed.
“It doesn’t worry us at Collingwood what anyone [else] does,” McGuire said.
The Magpies boss said his club’s ongoing review of the coaching position was “going beautifully” but didn’t elaborate on the subject.
“We’re in active service at Collingwood at the moment,” he said.
“Some clubs have obviously started looking at 2010 [but] at the risk of being clichéd Sydney at ANZ Stadium, Saturday night, is the biggest game in the history of Collingwood football club.
“And the week after against Fremantle will be the next biggest one.
“We’ve got a lot to do this year.”
Earlier Malthouse, who will coach his 600th VFL/AFL match this weekend when Collingwood plays the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium, was honoured at the Lexus Centre on Tuesday.
The majority of the playing list, as well as the club’s football staff, were in attendance.
McGuire spoke glowingly of the club’s long-time mentor, who was presented with a cake and watch before those present viewed a two-minute video montage, predominately of Malthouse’s coaching career.
While a watch might normally represent retirement, McGuire hoped that the engraved gift marking the feat of 600 matches in the coaching box was a sign of bigger things to come.
“Some coaches would get this and it might be a sign that that’s the end of the road,” McGuire said.
“This isn’t a gold watch mate, this is the Mick Malthouse premiership clock … we hope that the Mick Malthouse premiership clock is about 30 seconds to midnight in season 2009.”
