For the first time when Nathan Buckley will test himself as a senior AFL coach on Friday, the future of Mick Malthouse will definitely be on show. The Magpies will be coached by Buckley for the practice match against Adelaide in Alice Springs which is a preparation for the future season.

Malthouse will be doing this under their new policy of rotating pre-season head coaching. The off-siders will also face the same rotation policy.

In 2012, Buckley has been rescheduled to take the position of the permanent senior coach in a long term succession plan. He will be learning trick of the trade by acting as an assistant coach till then. The player is looking forwarded to test his fitness and is ready to take the pressure of this tough job.

His competitor and senior Mick Malthouse had earlier said that he was not capable enough to coach a senior team as his level was just as low as a coach of U-16 level. The players though are looking forward to the change.