Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse made a throwback to the 1980s by ordering trainers out of his three-quarter time huddle and berating his players like schoolboys during today's AFL loss to Essendon.

Collingwood did not rise for the Anzac Day clash against its rival, which prompted Malthouse to give his players a fierce spray at the final change, as they sat before him.

Malthouse later would not reveal what he said or why he ordered the trainers out, but intimated his players needed to think about why the Magpies have lost four games from the opening five rounds and are 14th on the ladder.

"It is (unusual), I suppose it hasn't been done for a long time but that doesn't make it right, it doesn't make it wrong," he said.

"It's just the way it is. We need to have a think about where we're at."

Defender Shane Wakelin said his coach "didn't really lose it" during the address, but said the players deserved the bake.

"He just laid it on the line. It was about time some guys started showing leadership," Wakelin said.

"We were still in the game at that stage. We were still only (three) goals down."

Although Collingwood lost by 14 points, there were few positives - the Magpies lacked run in midfield, were indirect and error-riddled with disposal and lacked the spirit from previous Anzac Day clashes.

Malthouse said the club's legion or followers, who either attended the game or watched it live on television, were entitled to feel let down.

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