NICK Maxwell's blunt communication with teammate Alex Fasolo during Saturday night's game against West Coast at the MCG was appropriate, according to Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.

He had no problem with Maxwell being demonstrative when delivering instructions to the 21-year-old during a critical part of the game.

"A bit of tough love doesn't hurt," Buckley said.

He said such conversations were part and parcel of every game, and no one would be talking about the issue had the television broadcast had not captured the incident.

"There is no time to sit down and have a cup of tea [and say] 'How are you going? How's your mum? How's dad?'" Buckley said.

"When you're in the middle of the MCG there is no [time to say] 'Could you pretty please with sugar on top go and stand five metres to your left.'

"It's 'You've got to get this done. You know where you're supposed to be, this is where you need to go'."

Buckley said Fasolo, who is playing regularly in defence for the first time this season after missing most of last season with a foot injury, occasionally needed reminding of his on-field obligations.

"'Fas' is a young player that is still learning to play the game. 'Maxy' (Nick Maxwell) knows exactly what the expectations are. As a young player Alex doesn't get his positioning right all the time," Buckley said.

With six wins and three losses so far this season, Collingwood is performing well but there is never a dull moment at the Magpies.

Travis Cloke's form continues to be a subject of discussion among observers but Buckley is not particularly concerned.

He dismissed any suggestion that Cloke might be relegated to the VFL to find some form and said his teammates were supporting the key forward.

The coach said getting a spread of contributors was always an objective and to have 13 goalkickers and 17 goals from 51 entries was encouraging.

"How often we’re going to one player or another is less relevant; the fact that we’re sharing the load is the most relevant point," Buckley said.

He said well-respected defender Nathan Brown would have a shoulder operation on Wednesday, which was likely to rule him out for the season.

However the club would find a way to develop his leadership capabilities and add to the campaign.

But there was good news for the club with Ben Reid moving closer to a return via the VFL. Buckley said if Collingwood's VFL team did not have a bye this weekend, Reid would be right to play but he would resume next week while smart forward Patrick Karnezis was in the mix to make his debut for Collingwood.

The former Brisbane Lions midfielder kicked six goals in the VFL against Geelong on Saturday at Simonds Stadium.