Collingwood has received plenty of criticism over its recruitment of Fremantle froward Chris Mayne this season.

Mayne joined the club at the end of 2016 on a four-year deal worth a reported $2 million, which raised several eyebrows, particularly given his lean output at Fremantle in recent years.

The 28-year-old averaged 13 disposals and kicked 28 goals in 22 games in 2015 and 14 disposals and 18 goals in 22 games in 2016 for Fremantle, before joining the Pies a free agent.

In his debut year the Holden Centre, Mayne has spent the majority of the year in the VFL, managing just three games and two goals.

In a strange revelation that would not be music to the ears of Mayne, Buckley admitted there was a mix-up which surrounded the signing.

โ€œThere were a few things mixed up with that,โ€ Buckley said onย SEN Breakfast on Friday morning.

โ€œOur director of football was flipping around and there were a few things that happened there that werenโ€™t ideal.

โ€œItโ€™s been a tough year for Mayney and weโ€™ve got some decisions to make going forward with that, but that hasnโ€™t been a great result in the first 12 months.

โ€œMayney is currently playing VFL footy and has been first-class with his attitude and his commitment to the club and the team, as we knew he would be.

โ€œBut, at an AFL level, it hasnโ€™t been what he or we thought it was going to be.โ€

Mayne spent nine seasons at the Dockers before joining Collingwood, with his best output coming in 2012, when he kicked 39 goals in 23 games.