Shows

Nathan Buckley: Profile

Nathan Buckley joined the 3AW Football team in 2008 after a stellar playing career for which he will now be remembered as one of Collingwood's all-time greats. Along with 3AW Football, Buckley also joins Sports Today every Monday night.

Buckley established himself as a football commentator of high class in 2008, with his insightful comments on the game often picked up as news stories such was their impact.

Biography:

In early 1992 the struggling Brisbane Bears drafted him for the 1992 AFL season through its Northern Territory state zone. Buckley challenged the AFL draft system and sparked controversy by initially resisting a move to Brisbane. His dreams were to play in Melbourne due to its culture in the sport, therefore felt the Bears were an undesirable career option. However, AFL draft rules prevented him from playing with another AFL club and so remained in the SANFL.

He signed with the Bears for the 1993 season only as part of a deal between Buckley and the Bears that allowed him to go to the club of his choice the following season. Brisbane hoped his time in 'the Sunshine State' would be long enough to change his mind. He immediately demonstrated his potential, playing 20 games, kicking 21 goals and impressing with his general play. He was the inaugural winner of the Norwich Rising Star Award and finished a close second in the Bears' best-and-fairest award.

During his first season Buckley's arrangement with the Bears became common knowledge. At the end of the contract he attracted strong interest from all Melbourne-based clubs, chiefly Collingwood, Geelong and North Melbourne. However it was Collingwood that successfully arranged a trade deal acceptable to all parties. Unbeknown to other AFL clubs and to the AFL itself, Collingwood and Brisbane had already agreed to make the trade happen. Collingwood selected ten players on its list who were 'untouchable', and the Bears could take any two players outside this list, as well as the Pies' first round draft pick, in exchange for Buckley. The move saw Buckley move to the Magpies in exchange for Craig Starcevich, Troy Lehmann and the Magpies' first-round draft pick (no. 12, future double-premiership player Chris Scott).

Buckley was adamant that the move was the right career direction, with the belief he had more chance of winning a premiership with the Magpies. Ironically, Brisbane would beat Collingwood in two consecutive AFL Grand Finals in 2002 and 2003. In his first season with Collingwood, the Magpies were eliminated by the West Coast Eagles by 2 points in Perth.

From here, Buckley would be a consistent performer for Collingwood. As well as winning a Brownlow Medal in 2003, he finished in the top 3 twice before the turn of the century. He was also named Collingwood's Best & Fairest 6 times in 10 years (including one tied) as well as 6 consecutive years in the All-Australian Team from 1996 to 2001.

In 1999, Buckley suffered a serious jaw injury playing against Carlton in Round Two He would miss six games and return in Round Nine to help Collingwood to their first win of the season and their first in 13 matches. Collingwood finished last this season, only the second time in their history (the other being in 1976). Buckley also competed in the last game at Victoria Park.

In 1999, coach Tony Shaw, made Buckley the Collingwood captain, replacing the still-active Gavin Brown who was to mentor Buckley in the role until retirement. Throughout the late 1990s/early 2000s Collingwood had several major changes in personnel. Eddie McGuire became president of club in 1998 and Mick Malthouse was appointed coach in 2000. Collingwood finishing 15th in 2000 and 9th in 2001, with Buckley starring in both seasons. In Round Two, 2001, Buckley set a record by amassing 46 disposals, the highest total since quarters were shortened to 20 minutes in 1994 AFL season.

In 2002 that Collingwood made the AFL Grand Final for the first time in Buckley's career. On Grand Final day at the MCG, Buckley starred in a losing team, winning the Norm Smith Medal; he was the first losing Norm Smith medallist since Gary Ablett in 1989. Famously, Buckley removed the Norm Smith Medal from around his neck while still descending the dais, symbolic of his disappointment and dedication to the team.

In 2003, Buckley received his highest honour, the Brownlow Medal in a three-way tie with fellow South Australian born players Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide) and Adam Goodes (Sydney). The following Saturday Buckley played in his second losing Grand Final. Brisbane demolished Collingwood from start to finish, although Buckley still managed to gain 24 disposals.

After perhaps the best season of his stellar career in 2003, the Magpie skipper endured a 2004 and 2005 season he would rather forget. He started the season in usual domineering fashion in the opening three rounds, but missed seven of the next eight matches with hamstring problems. When he returned, he appeared to play under duress, spending more time across half-forward or half-back. Buckley was honoured with life membership of the Collingwood Football Club in 2004.

During the 2006 season, Buckley was awarded AFL Life Membership after playing his 300th official match since his debut in 1992, comprising 267 premiership games, 24 preseason games, four state of origin games and four international rules games.

Buckley was rested twice during the season, once for the match against West Coast at Subiaco in Round 7, and again in the Round 21 clash against Carlton. At the end of the 2006 season Buckley indicated the possibility of him standing down as captain of the club, saying that James Clement might be a likely choice for the position.[citation needed] Clement later said he did not wish to become captain.[citation needed] Collingwood President Eddie McGuire played down any rumours of Buckley standing aside.[citation needed]

Following serious hamstring problems, Buckley played his first game of 2007 playing for the Williamstown Seagulls in the VFL on 18 August 2007.[2] He was judged best on ground, gathering 29 possessions and kicking four goals.

He returned to the Collingwood side the following week and played in the club's two remaining home-and-away games and all three finals, including its semi-final win against West Coast in extra time, and its five-point loss against Geelong in the preliminary final. Three weeks later, on 5 October 2007, Buckley announced his retirement.

Thanks to Wikipedia.org for the biography