Collingwood to change game plan and go straight up middle Alan Didak will be part of Collingwood's new game plan as it prepares to be more direct. COLLINGWOOD will unveil an overhauled game plan incorporating more rapid-fire ball movement in Friday night's NAB Cup opener. The Pies have moved away from their trademark long passage around the boundary line, practising much shorter, more direct ball movement over summer. A clear plan to kick the ball shorter and move the ball quickly emerged in its most distinct fashion in Friday's intraclub match and the previous Saturday's hour-long match simulation session. Collingwood has used the boundary line more than any other team in the past two seasons and was ranked first and third for long kicks attempted in 2011 and 2012. But coach Nathan Buckley has put his stamp on the side's game style in the lead-up to his second season in charge, swapping the sledgehammer hits up the ground with a swift, switchblade attack. A revamped Collingwood, Carlton and West Coast have been routinely described as three of the most impressive teams in pre-season training by opposition club scouts. With the Pies' refined coaching strategy, Fox Sports analyst David King expected them to improve on last year's preliminary final loss to Sydney. "They're going beautifully and I think there is going to be a different change to Collingwood this year," King said on SEN. With Nathan Buckley playing probably more of his style, (there is) a bit more flair and real quick, short, sharp ball movement through the corridor. Buckley's troops will open their NAB Cup account in shortened clashes against Western Bulldogs and Essendon at Etihad Stadium. The Pies' remodelled forward line has also shown encouraging signs, with spearhead Travis Cloke kicking five goals despite finishing Friday's scratch match early. Alan Didak and Andrew Krakouer also impressed after injury-ravaged 2012 seasons. The club recruited five mature-age players - Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Jordan Russell (Carlton), Clinton Young (Hawthorn), Ben Hudson (Brisbane Lions) and Frankston goalkicking midfielder Kyle Martin - to add depth, while Luke Ball (knee) has joined in parts of the club's main training session. "Collingwood have had a fantastic injection (of recruits), and big Lynch is going to make a huge difference down there," King said. Knee victim Luke Ball has begun participating in parts of main training session as he continues to make welcome progress from a knee reconstruction.