Devils applaud ‘positive step’ for potential AFL coach
Oliver Caffrey |
Nathan Buckley has taken his first big step towards becoming Tasmania’s inaugural AFL coach, accepting an assistant role at Geelong.
After expressing interest in the Melbourne job, before eventually declining, Buckley has made no secret of his desire to lead the Devils for their anticipated entry into the AFL in 2028.
Speaking last month, Buckley replied “yes” when asked if he would accept an offer to be the first coach of the new club in Tasmania.
“I am not sitting here saying like I assume that, expect that (Tasmania offer), this is all open spitballing,” Buckley told SEN.
“But yeah, I’ve determined that I would love to coach again.
“If Tassie feel like I am a fit, then I will be there.”
After spending four years in the media following his departure as Collingwood coach, the former Magpies superstar will go back into club land to ready himself for the likely Tasmania job.
In announcing his surprise appointment, Geelong didn’t specify how long his tenure would be, just that his role would be for the 2026 season.
“We are excited to add Nathan to our club and more specifically to our coaching group,” Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie said.
“In speaking with Nathan, it was clear he had a strong appetite to return to coaching, and we look forward to welcoming him to our football program to work closely with our players and staff.”
Tasmania, set to be the AFL’s 19th club, issued a statement congratulating Buckley on his appointment with the Cats.
“It is great to see individuals of Nathan’s calibre back coaching and if he wishes to coach at AFL level again we see this as a very positive step,” the Devils said.
With Geelong fresh off a fine from the AFL for administration errors of their third-party payments, Buckley leant into social media jokes about his new job.
He reposted an AI-generated picture of him on a farm.
Buckley coached Collingwood from 2012 to 2021, guiding the Magpies to the 2018 grand final that they lost to West Coast in heartbreaking circumstances.
The 53-year-old’s appointment is a major coup for Geelong, who are coming off a heavy grand-final defeat to the Brisbane Lions.
Buckley will work under long-time Cats coach Chris Scott, who will enter his 16th season in charge.
Scott, already Geelong’s longest-serving coach, is expected to extend his tenure with the Cats for a further three years until the end of 2029.
AAP
