What's the rationale for suggesting COllingwood will slide?
They have a young list, good depth, have lost next to nothing and have the hunger that comes from a losing GF.
The only question mark I can see if their new coaching set up.
I would say Geelong are a much greater chance to slide.
If Buckley or Eddie had any sort of dignity and loved Collingwood knowing how Malthouse had the team going he would have stepped aside and let Mick continue until he wanted to, or Eddie would have seen to it. This saga to a large degree has cost Collingwood the flag in 2011 and Eddie stubborness to see this out will be detrimental to the Skunks. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Add the fact that Watters and Neeld have moved on and Buckley has got blokes with little or no experience at his side with Eade as director of coaching making sure he is doing it all right and its a nice little molotov cocktail there.
Pendlebury signing a one year deal and the rumours on whether he'll join his bro at GWS will add another bad feel to the club this year and with Eddie putting up smokescreens to tell GWS he will make their life hell just adds to the behind the scenes funs at the Nexus Centre which again goes back to the players responding to Mick and what they think of Nayfan.
Yeah Geelong may slide a few rungs too I agree but the Pies may be bigger sliders than some may want to believe or admit at this point in time.