Although Buckley’s succession of legendary mentor Mick Malthouse has attracted all sorts of talk from outsiders, vice-captain Pendlebury said the much publicised change hadn’t changed match at the Westpac Centre.

“It’s not different at all,” Pendlebury said. “It’s not like a new person has come into the club.

“Bucks has been working for the past two years as an assistant.

“It’s been a smooth transition which is what the club wanted.

“It’s a credit to all sections of the club that they have made it work.”

Reid agreed with the star onballer, saying the transition had been a smooth one.

“He’s very good with the players,” Reid said.

“He is personal with the boys which is good.

“He makes sure you know exactly what your exact role is.

“It’s been a pretty smooth transition.

“Bucks has been fantastic to all the players.

“I can see him being a fantastic coach for us.”

O’Brien said all changes to the coaching panel, not just Buckley’s appointment, had brought new life to the club.

AFL champions Robert Harvey and Ben Hart joined another reasonably recent retiree, Chiltern’s Matthew Lappin, at the club during the off-season as assistants.

More experienced coaches Scott Watters and Mark Neeld left the club to take the top jobs at St Kilda and Melbourne.

“Bucks is almost part of our generation, so to speak,” O’Brien said.

“All of the other coaches are as well.

“Not just Bucks.

“We’ve had changes within the football department.

“The club’s got a whole new feel about it which is refreshing.

“The changes are something we’ve all taken on with an open mind.”