Nathan Buckley admits it’s been a whirlwind appointment to Geelong assistant, revealing it was less than a week ago that Cats coach Chris Scott reached out.

And in the space of just over six days, Buckley was able to secure the job at Geelong to replace Steven King – who was the man Melbourne appointed their head coach.

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“I’m absolutely pumped – it’s come together really quickly, just over the last week,” Buckley said.

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“Chris Scott reached out pretty much six and a half days ago and put the concept forward. We were able to cobble that together where I can straddle a bit of media with a full-time coaching role.”

When Scott first reached out, Buckley admits a deal “didn’t look likely” in the first few days as he had to consider his family, his role with Fox Footy and his hopes to one day coach the inaugural Tasmanian AFL team.

Nathan Buckley talks about his decision to join Geelong as an assistant coach.Source: FOX SPORTS

“Firstly it’s a family decision. Where do I have to live and where are the boys going to live in this next sort of 12 to 24-month period,” he shared.

“I have to consider Tasmania and the prospect of that which isn’t guaranteed – I’d still love to step into that.

“And then, there is a financial consideration as well for everyone. To be able to pay the home loan, as much as anything.

“I needed to consider all that and it didn’t look like it was likely in the first couple of days. We were able to make it work.”

Buckley said his hopes of one day returning to the head coaching ranks had been a big factor in his decision to join Geelong, while still juggling his media commitments.

“In the end, when the opportunity was there and you’ve come to the realisation that you want to get back in, well then you just get back in as best as you possibly can,” he said.

“When this opportunity came, it’s a no-brainer really.

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“I want to contribute – and I’m really looking forward to getting my hands dirty and working with the staff and players at the club itself. But to actually look under the bonnet of an organisation that’s done remarkably well over a long period of time, I’m going to be fascinated with that as well.”

When asked directly over concerns of a potential conflict of interest, given he’ll keep his On the Couch role and broadcast duties with Fox while coaching full-time at Geelong, Buckley said his commitment was to the Cats first.

“The dynamic will be very different (but) … I’m not a shock jock – I haven’t been so I think I’m quite balanced in the way that I see the game, that I see the individuals within it,” he said.

“I don’t think I’m going to put my foot in it and to the detriment of Geelong which I suppose is part of the balance I need to find.

“I will be absolutely respectful of the Geelong footy club and my role there – and that is my first role. That is my primary responsibility going into 2026.

“I would never undermine or betray trusts with the football club – they are putting a lot of trust in me.”

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With his hopes still firmly on potentially coaching the Tasmania Devils team once they arrive in the AFL, Buckley confirmed he did reach out to club CEO Brendon Gale before moving forward with Geelong.

“My only question was would the Devils frown at this or would they think it was advantageous,” he revealed.

“The answer was there was no issue with it.

“Once again, I’ve been really conscious of not projecting forward with that either – because nothing’s guaranteed … I know where that sits. The Devils now where that sits – they’ve got decisions to make.

“Their timeline is their timeline.

“This was a decision, when you look at how far the Devils might be away, there’s a gap there.

“I can either tread water doing the same thing I’ve done for the last three or four years or I can school myself up, challenging myself in a different way and be ready to go should the opportunity come.

“I don’t know exactly what I’m going to find down there, but I’m excited by it.”

Nathan Buckley talks about his decision to join Geelong as an assistant coach.Source: FOX SPORTS

Joking he may end up spending a few nights a week staying at Brad Johnson’s home while keeping his primary residence in Melbourne, Buckley was adamant he was all-in at the Cats.

“It’s Scotty’s team and Scotty’s club – so if he needs anything I’ll say how high?” he said.

“I’ll work that out (where to live) – this has come to pass really quickly.

“It’ll be late November when I get my feet on the ground – probably earlier than that to have conversations with key people.

“Whatever the club needs, I’m ready to go.”