Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley has been shortlisted as a leading candidate for another AFL head coaching role, having been overlooked for a number of recent positions. The former Magpies mentor missed out on landing the top job at the Tasmania Devils and Melbourne Demons earlier this year, before pulling out of the race to become North Melbourne’s next head coach shortly after Chris Fagan stepped down at the Lions.
And Buckley has now emerged as one of the leading contenders to replace Brisbane’s triple premiership-winning mentor, who recently offered a glowing endorsement for assistant Cameron Bruce to succeed him. News Corp reports that Brisbane are prepared to wait until Buckley gets back from an overseas holiday next month, before the club’s coaching selection panel begins formal discussions with the 54-year-old about the vacant post.
Bruce is widely considered the frontrunner to replace Fagan, having served under the legendary former coach during Brisbane’s premiership three-peat. He was also part of another three premierships as senior assistant to Alastair Clarkson for Hawthorn’s own three-peat between 2013 – 2015.
But the Lions are leaving no stone unturned in search of their next head coach, and have narrowed their list to three or four candidates to replace Fagan. But news that Buckley has been shortlisted as one of those candidates has left fans divided, with many still aggrieved that he left Brisbane after playing just one season in 1993, before moving to Collingwood.
Fans divided as Nathan Buckley linked with Lions job
Others have pointed to Buckley’s chequered coaching record, having failed to deliver the Pies a premiership in almost 10 seasons in charge. The club legend did guide the Magpies into the 2018 grand final and a prelim the following year. But he stepped down as coach in the middle of the 2021 season after a tumultuous period for the club, and hasn’t returned to a head coaching role since.
Geelong assistant and Collingwood great Nathan Buckley (L) has been shortlisted as a candidate to replace triple premiership coach Chris Fagan (R) at Brisbane. Pic: Getty
Buckley served as an assistant under Geelong head coach Chris Scott this year, in charge of the Cats’ defence. He’s also been among the game’s leading analysts as part of Fox Footy’s broadcast team for several years now. And despite some of the backlash around his links to the Brisbane role, many believe Buckley would be an ideal successor to Fagan.