3 months ago
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Collingwood great Nathan Buckley says he would take a call from Melbourne president Brad Green, declaring the Demons are a compelling reason to consider a coaching return.
Buckley, the former Magpies coach (2012-21) who guided the club into the 2018 grand final, is keen to return to the senior ranks, having left the Magpies through the 2021 season.
That was then: Nathan Buckley in his last season as Collingwood senior coach.Credit: AFL Photos
While also on the radar of the fledging Tasmania Devils, who are slated to join the league in 2028, Buckley confirmed on Wednesday he would be interested in discussing Melbourne’s plans with club brass.
“I have spoken about my life and how I enjoy the balance I have at the moment. It would need to be something quite compelling to leave this. The Devils’ timeline was good because it was out there, it was on the horizon, this one is a little bit sharper, isn’t it?” Buckley told SEN on Wednesday.
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“I would take the call and I would have the chat, but there still would have to be a lot that would have to fall into place for me to leave this position of comfort that I have discovered.”
He later added: “I think the Melbourne prospect is quite compelling. There is, obviously, a lot that needs to settle and evolve there, but big club, storied history, the experience in the playing group is unquestioned, and I like their young group of players as well. In that sense, there is a compelling case there in terms of opportunity, but there is plenty of water to go under the bridge.”
Buckley, 53, said his desire to coach again was real.
“It’s there, otherwise it would be an easy no. I can’t lie. When yesterday [Goodwin’s sacking] happened, I knew this would all come around again,” he said.
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“Even in yourself, this brings the timeline forward again if you feel like there is a case, if you like the people, if you see the opportunity to make a change, make a difference, you have to work that out quick smart because the call, or I would expect, the call would come.”
Former Melbourne player Jordan Lewis, now a commentator at Fox Footy alongside Buckley, said Buckley would be his No.1 option to take charge of the Demons.
Former Swans premiership coach John Longmire and former West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson are among those also likely to be sounded out about the Demons, who are still finalising their coaching subcommittee. Essendon great James Hird looms as a wildcard in their hunt.
“When I went into coaching the first time, it was just a blind faith – this is my future, this is what I do, and this is the next challenge, the next mountain to climb,” Buckley said.
“If I went back into it, I wouldn’t be doing it the same way. It would be far more conscious, far more considered, it wouldn’t just be about where football sits in my life. It would be where football sits in amongst the rest of my life, which I never really had to, or did consider, before.”
Buckley said he agreed with Goodwin’s assertion on Tuesday that the Demons, sitting in 12th spot with only seven wins this season, could rise quicker than many expected.
“I think so. There are a lot of elements, and I think they showed in the last couple of months, when you play a more expansive brand of offence, you sort of open it up,” he said.
More to come
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