 Nathan Buckley, regarded as one of Collingwood's greatest players, was appointed assistant coach under Malthouse for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, before assuming the head coaching position at the start of the 2012 season.Malthouse, who had been contracted to take on a "head of coaching" role, elected to leave the club rather than put Buckley in what he regarded as an awkward position.Under Buckley, Collingwood continued to be successful in the short term, qualifying inside the top-four in the 2012 season, before falling five goals short in a preliminary final to eventual premiers the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.