Nathan Buckley to step down. Press conference 9am.
Looks like the media got their man again.
The original FIGJAM.
Bucks was a champion player, yes he had a high opinion of himself, but one of the best big mids that played the game. He should have won a flag in 18 but for a never say die WC team and Dom Sheeds golden boot.
But It appears he has gone stale from the Pies pov and steps down after this weekends game v Sydney. There are plenty of potential replacements out there, some experienced like Lyons (heaven forbid) but also a heap of very good assistants, will be interesting to see who puts up their hand and who they decide on. Plum gig as Collingwood are probably the 2nd richest club after WC so the job will be extremely well resourced, but the job will come with the usual bloated expectations of success, which with their group of ageing A graders might be some time away.
Back in the day after the wce joined the VFL I worked for Collingwoof along with other EP trainers when the came to play which was often but enough! Buckley was a great player on an individual level but as a team player he was well behind people like Voss and others. He would often berate his team mates when the did not pass him the ball even when he was in a bad position, very selfish.
As a coach he just did not seem to have x factor to get them over line and whilst many put up Sheeds goal you have to wonder how the team you are coaching with some much more support lost from 5 goals at the start and 2 in the last quarter, all down to the coaching!
I always felt sorry for him with Eddie Dumbass being his main supporter, the pressure was always going to be enormous and his development from the greatest Figjam of all time into a gracious and sincere person was something to behold.
I always thought as a coach Buckley seemed like a really decent personality. Certainly better than flogs like the Scotts and that Leon Cameron and of course Ross.
Agree with you on Buckley, Grump and ToO. I admired his transformation into a person with a very likeable personality. He was forthright and respectful, unlike the turkeys you mentioned.
Yes I agree. He has really developed as a person while coaching and there is an element of humility and compassion that I didnt spot in him during his playing days. He had really run his race at Collingwood given that he was so tied up with the Eddie era and both parties will benefit from him moving on. I reckon he will be excellent in the media.
Buckleys tenure was a decade which is not unusual. Clarkson has been at Hawthorn for 15 years, Scott at Geelong for more than 10, Simpson is coming up to 8 years at the Eagles, Longmire has been at the Swans for a long time, Hardwick started at Richmond around the same time as Simpson, Hinkley at Port Adelaide for 7 - 8 years. Long tenures for a profession that is quite dependent on results.
He walked the plank before he was pushed. Board told him he is not part of their plans moving forward.
I got a feeling Ross will have a job next year. Collingwood or Carlton. Going to be interesting to see which way Clarko and Hawthorn go in regards to Sam Mitchell. I imagine they don’t want to lose him to a rival club but he’s a senior coach in waiting.
Mitchell probably at the top of the list of untried coaches. Why would anyone look at Lyon???
A complete dinosaur, the game has moved well past him.