Be bold: Harvey urges Pies to express themselves, views his tenure as a nine-week project

Collingwood’s interim coach Robert Harvey wants his players to express themselves in the final eight matches of the season as he strives to help the Magpies find the right balance between defence and attack.

Having played a dour style under Nathan Buckley in recent times, Collingwood played a more attacking style late in the match against Fremantle to hit the lead with seven minutes to go after being three goals arrears at the final break.

Collingwood caretaker coach Robert Harvey.Credit:Getty Images

Harvey was pleased to see the team score six goals from the back half but conceded they went into their shell in the second and third quarters and also allowed easy goals to the Dockers at crucial times, which cost the Magpies victory.

But he praised the players for their effort and was heartened at their desire to implement the plan.

Scott Pendlebury looks on after the Magpies’ close loss to the Dockers at Marvel Stadium.Credit:Getty Images

“Their intent was really good about what we wanted to do [but] we fell into a few patterns where we couldn’t quite get out of,” Harvey said.

“As we go forward there is real balance we can get in our game … we want the players to express themselves. I thought in the last quarter the gloves came off and we were a lot bolder and that is what we wanted to see.”

Harvey said he sees his time as senior coach as a nine-week project and he was hopeful the players could improve their game while enjoying the final eight weeks of the season.

The dual Brownlow medallist refused to criticise the dubious free kick paid against Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard when the Magpies had drawn level and had momentum, although he said the 24-year-old was normally very good at running back with the flight of the ball to defend.

Harvey praised Maynard for his efforts in that last quarter when he was crucial in Collingwood’s attempted comeback, but he said the passionate defender had to ensure he did not give away 50-metre penalties in the future, as he did in that moment.

“The free kick is the free kick,” Harvey said.

“Having coached him directly he plays those [instances] defending and running back with the flight really well.

“Clearly giving away the 50 is not ideal and to lose your cool like that is not what we are after, but he gives great effort and some of his chase-down tackles in the last quarter to show that desire to want to win is what we love about him.

“There is always a balance there and when it goes it over the top we don’t want to give away 50 metre goals so that is always a challenge but he plays on the edge and that is what we love about him.”

Harvey said he believed Mason Cox made the team better when he gave a contest forward of the ball and indicated he would continue to work with the 30-year-old to be at his best.

The Magpies are likely to lose Beau McCreery with a hamstring injury but will have Jordan De Goey back from suspension when they play St Kilda next week.

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