news 2023 Nathan Buckley quashes talk of coaching return after image triggers damning speculation
3 min read
Former Collingwood coach turned commentator Nathan Buckley has denied a potential return to coaching after he was spotted inside the Walyalup (Fremantle) coaches box on Saturday afternoon.
Buckley, who positioned himself in the back row of the box, inconspicuously watched on as Walyalup defeated Narrm (Melbourne) by seven points at the MCG.
Sporting casual clothes, Buckley was also seen inside the Dockers’ rooms, triggering a wave of speculation.
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Asked whose idea it was for Buckley to sit with the coaches, he attributed the plan to his former assistant coach at the Magpies, Justin Longmuir.
Before being appointed Walyalup’s head coach at the end of 2019, Longmuir served under Buckley as Collingwood’s defensive coach for two years.
« I spoke to JL (Longmuir) earlier in the year, » Buckley told Fox Footy on Sunday.
« I was actually over in Perth about five weeks ago with the intent of sitting in the coaches box but the timing wasn’t right. »
Having joined Fox Footy’s commentary team after stepping down as the coach of Collingwood midway through 2021, Buckley was supposedly interested in observing the team’s game-day operations.
« It was great to be able to get in with the Fremantle coaching group, and in their pre-match and post-match meetings as well, just to get a sense of how they are going about it, » he said.
« As a media person, to have that insight is pretty effective. »
Buckley’s response preempted a probe on whether the experience had rekindled a desire to return to coaching.
« There is a vacancy (with Damien Hardwick departing Richmond earlier this week), timing’s everything, and you’re in the coaching box all of a sudden. If (the Tigers) rang, would you take their call?, » Melbourne legend Gary Lyon quizzed.
But Buckley firmly shut down any notion of a return to the top job.
»How many different ways can you say no? » he said.
« How many different times can you say no?
« So, we’re putting two and two together and getting 101 [per cent], no. »
Lyon continued: « Well, you’ve been in the media long enough now to know that seeing you in the coaches box was always going to stir up some questions ».
« 100 per cent, I’m a no, » Buckley repeated.
« I really enjoyed it – the connection between Fremantle’s coaches and players is great and they have a bit of momentum at the moment.
« I was just an observer and a listener, and I’ve got some notes to send back to JL and his coaching group and James Clement who’s on their board.
« They should be well pleased with what they have been able to do the last month to put themselves back into the year. »
Buckley coached Collingwood for 10 seasons with a record of 117 wins, 99 losses and two draws.
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