Nathan Buckley
Encyclopedia
Nathan Charles Buckley (born 26 July 1972) is a former professional Australian rules football
player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain
of the Collingwood Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
He is listed by journalist Mike Sheahan
as one of the top 50 players of all time. Buckley won the inaugural Rising Star Award
, then went on to become one of the game's elite. He won the prestigious Brownlow Medal
in 2003 and was selected in the All-Australian Team
team a total of seven times. He also captained the Australian international rules football team against Ireland.
In 2004 Buckley became an original inductee into the Collingwood hall of fame, captaining the club between 1999 and 2007, six time club best and fairest and named in the Collingwood Team of the Century. He retired at the conclusion of the 2007 AFL season and became a commentator for the Seven Network
.
After months of speculation, the Collingwood Football Club
signed Buckley as an assistant coach for seasons 2010 and 2011 and as senior coach in 2012 for three years.
, and thus has occasionally been regarded as a Territorian
(he also played at the Ainslie Football Club
in Canberra
for a season). Under the (now defunct) State of Origin competition he was considered of North Territory origin and selected for The Allies team, an amalgamation of players from Northern Territory
, Queensland
, New South Wales
, Australian Capital Territory
and Tasmania
.
Buckley's footballing talents were noticed from an early age. He joined Port Adelaide
where, in 1992, he won his only senior premiership as well as the Magarey Medal
(the SANFL
's league best and fairest), the Jack Oatey Medal (best on ground in the SANFL Grand Final), and his club best and fairest.
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.
, 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 Collingwood Magpies' 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 Final
s in 2002 and 2003. In his first season with Collingwood, the Collingwood Magpies were eliminated by the West Coast Eagles
by two 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 three twice before the turn of the century. He was also named Collingwood's Best and Fairest
six times in 10 years (including one tied), as well as six consecutive years in the All-Australian Team
from 1996 to 2002.
In 1999, Buckley suffered a broken jaw playing against Carlton
in Round 2. He returned in Round 8 to help Collingwood to their first win of the season and their first in 13 matches. Collingwood finished the season last, only the second time in their history (the other being in 1976). Buckley also competed in the last game at Victoria Park
.
became president of club in 1998 and Mick Malthouse
was appointed coach in 2000. Collingwood finishing 15th in 2000 and ninth in 2001, with Buckley starring in both seasons. In Round 2, 2001, Buckley set a record by amassing 46 disposals, the highest total since quarters were shortened to twenty minutes in 1994 AFL season
, this remained the record until Round 10 2009, when surpassed by Dane Swan
(48 disposals).
In 2002 Collingwood made the AFL Grand Final for the first time during Buckley's tenure at the club. On Grand Final day at the MCG
, Buckley starred in a losing team, winning the Norm Smith Medal
; he was the first Norm Smith Medallist from a losing team since Gary Ablett in 1989. Buckley removed the Norm Smith Medal from around his neck while descending the dais, symbolic of his disappointment and dedication to the team.
In 2003, Buckley received his highest individual 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. Clement later said he did not wish to become captain. Collingwood President Eddie McGuire
played down any rumours of Buckley standing aside.
Following serious hamstring problems, Buckley played his first game of 2007 playing for the Williamstown Seagulls
in the VFL
on 18 August 2007. 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 18 point semi-final win against West Coast in extra time, and its five point loss against Geelong
in the preliminary final where he was sitting on the bench in disappointment when the final siren sounded. Three weeks later, on 5 October 2007, Buckley announced his retirement.
.
Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 8, 1999, at the MCG Collingwood had not won a match all season. Buckley was sidelined between rounds three and seven due to a broken jaw, suffered in a clash with Carlton's Justin Murphy in round two. Upon return, Buckley dominated against the Dockers with three goals and 26 disposals. He was awarded three Brownlow votes. The match was also notable for the debut of Tarkyn Lockyer
Collingwood vs Adelaide Round 2, 2000, at the MCG It was Collingwood's second premiership season match under new coach Mick Malthouse
. Scores were close all match in a tight contest. Buckley was awarded three Brownlow votes after gathering 31-disposals and three goals. Paul Williams
and Sav Rocca scored five goals each. Collingwood won by eleven points.
Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 2, 2001, at Colonial Stadium Buckley collected a career high 46 possessions and scored two goals Collingwood beat the Dockers by 17 points at Colonial Stadium, Collingwood's first victory of the season. Buckley's 46 possessions was a record since 1994
when quarters were shortened to twenty minutes. Gary Ablett jnr. (Geelong) equalled this on 18 April 2009 vs Adelaide on round 4. The record was beaten by Dane Swan (Collingwood) on 31 May 2009 vs Port Adelaide on round 10 with 48 touches.
Collingwood vs Adelaide Round 13, 2001, at Football Park Buckley scored two goals and had 37 possessions. His effort helped Collingwood beat the Crows by two points. This was the first of five straight wins against Adelaide.
Collingwood vs Brisbane, Grand Final 2002, at the MCG The 2002 Grand Final
will go down as perhaps Nathan Buckley's finest performance in the Collingwood jumper. Buckley had 32 disposals, and kicked a goal in the third quarter, from the boundary line, to give his side the lead. Buckley was adjudged the Norm Smith Medal
list of 2002.
Collingwood vs Essendon, Round 5 2003, at the MCG Collingwood lost the match by 66 points but Buckley was awarded two Bronlow Medal votes, winning 37 possessions, laying four tackles, and scoring long range goal in the second term.
Rounds 13–17 2003 In the mid-season encounters with the Western Bulldogs, the Kangaroos, Fremantle, Richmond and Carlton, Buckley hit the longest and strongest purple patch of his illustrious career. With Collingwood faltering in the middle of the ladder, with six wins and six losses after the halfway mark of the season, Buckley kicked up a gear, taking his team with him. Winning 10 Brownlow votes over the five-week stretch, Buckley's brilliance was on display for all to see, setting up a number of attacks on-ball, ably supported by the excellent form of Scott Burns
, Paul Licuria
and Shane Woewodin
.
Collingwood vs Brisbane, Round 10 2006 With his hamstrings failing him, Buckley was positioned in attack in the latter stages of 2005, and by the midway point of 2006 played most of his football forward, with the ability to still play short bursts in the midfield. Buckley's career-best six goals (and 29-possessions) arguably won the match for the Magpies; their first win over Brisbane since the 2003 Qualifying Final.
. He will be the assistant coach for the seasons of 2010 and 2011; he will then become head coach, taking over Mick Malthouse
, in 2012 for three years.
" or Rules Committee until he controversially resigned.
On New Year's Eve 2002 Buckley married Tania Minnici who is known for wearing revealing gowns to the Brownlow Medal. The couple have two sons; Jett Charles, who was born on 22 December 2006 and Ayce Dominic, who was born on 21 September 2008.
Buckley now lives in a $4m house in Toorak
with his wife, children and black pug, Big.
Buckley has also moved into harness racing
and is the owner of the Group One winner Hurricane Jett, a pacer named after his oldest son and trained by highly successful trainer and Collingwood supporter Jayne Davies.
On 24 September 2008, Nathan Buckley's autobiography, All I Can Be, was published in Australia by Penguin Group (Australia)
.
He was the central character in an advertising campaign by wireless broadband provider Unwired.
Buckley signed as a commentator with the Seven Network for the 2008 AFL season
, and continued commentating in 2009.
He made an appearance as a celebrity racer at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix
in Melbourne
, in which he came second overall.
Australian Football League
Collingwood Football Club
Brisbane Bears Football Club
Representative Honours
South Australian National Football League
Premierships
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain
Captain (Australian rules football)
A captain of an Australian rules football team, sometimes known as a skipper is a player who, during the course of a match and off the field, has several additional roles and responsibilities over and above those of a regular player....
of the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
He is listed by journalist Mike Sheahan
Mike Sheahan
Michael "Mike" Sheahan is an Australian journalist who specialises in Australian rules football. He is Chief Football Writer and Associate Sports Editor for the Herald Sun, a panelist on the Fox Sports program "On the Couch" and former Media Director for the VFL .Sheahan attended Werribee High...
as one of the top 50 players of all time. Buckley won the inaugural Rising Star Award
AFL Rising Star award
The NAB AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a standout young player in the Australian Football League. Since 2007 the winner has been presented with the Ron Evans Medal and was first awarded in 1993...
, then went on to become one of the game's elite. He won the prestigious Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
in 2003 and was selected in the All-Australian Team
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
team a total of seven times. He also captained the Australian international rules football team against Ireland.
In 2004 Buckley became an original inductee into the Collingwood hall of fame, captaining the club between 1999 and 2007, six time club best and fairest and named in the Collingwood Team of the Century. He retired at the conclusion of the 2007 AFL season and became a commentator for the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
.
After months of speculation, the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
signed Buckley as an assistant coach for seasons 2010 and 2011 and as senior coach in 2012 for three years.
Early career
Nathan Buckley was born in suburban Adelaide, South Australia on 26 July 1972. His family travelled around Australia quite frequently, and by the age of 12, Buckley had been to all major states on the Australian mainland. He grew up supporting Melbourne. However, he spent the majority of his football developing years (aged around 10–17) in the Northern TerritoryNorthern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, and thus has occasionally been regarded as a Territorian
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
(he also played at the Ainslie Football Club
Ainslie Football Club
Ainslie Football Club is a semi-professional Australian rules football club based in Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory.The club, formed in 1927 and play now in the North East Australian Football League, won its first permiership in 1929....
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
for a season). Under the (now defunct) State of Origin competition he was considered of North Territory origin and selected for The Allies team, an amalgamation of players from Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
and Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.
Buckley's footballing talents were noticed from an early age. He joined Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Magpies
The Port Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the South Australian National Football League...
where, in 1992, he won his only senior premiership as well as the Magarey Medal
Magarey Medal
For the biography award of the same name, see Magarey Medal for biography. For a list of winners, see List of Magarey Medallists.The Magarey Medal is an Australian rules football honour awarded annually since 1898 to the fairest and most brilliant player in the South Australian National Football...
(the SANFL
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
's league best and fairest), the Jack Oatey Medal (best on ground in the SANFL Grand Final), and his club best and fairest.
Brisbane Bears
In early 1992 the struggling Brisbane BearsBrisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
drafted him for the 1992 AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
season through its Northern Territory state zone. Buckley challenged the AFL draft system
AFL Draft
The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.-History:...
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"
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
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
AFL Rising Star award
The NAB AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a standout young player in the Australian Football League. Since 2007 the winner has been presented with the Ron Evans Medal and was first awarded in 1993...
and finished a close second in the Bears' best-and-fairest award.
Collingwood
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 CollingwoodCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
and North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
. 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 Collingwood Magpies' first round draft pick, in exchange for Buckley. The move saw Buckley move to the Magpies
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in exchange for Craig Starcevich
Craig Starcevich
Craig Starcevich is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL and currently a fitness trainer.He was recruited from East Perth whom he played 37 games for after he won the 1986 F. D. Book Medal for being judged their best and fairest player...
, Troy Lehmann
Troy Lehmann
Troy Lehmann is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood and the Brisbane Bears in the Australian Football League during the early 1990s....
and the Magpies' first-round draft pick (no. 12, future double-premiership player Chris Scott
Chris M. Scott
Christopher Michael "Chris" Scott is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League best known as being a dual premiership player with the Brisbane Lions and is a current premiership AFL coach of the Geelong Football Club.-AFL career:Scott was picked by the Brisbane Bears...
).
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 Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
s in 2002 and 2003. In his first season with Collingwood, the Collingwood Magpies were eliminated by the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
by two points in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
.
From here, Buckley would be a consistent performer for Collingwood. As well as winning a Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
in 2003, he finished in the top three twice before the turn of the century. He was also named Collingwood's Best and Fairest
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
six times in 10 years (including one tied), as well as six consecutive years in the All-Australian Team
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
from 1996 to 2002.
In 1999, Buckley suffered a broken jaw playing against Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in Round 2. He returned in Round 8 to help Collingwood to their first win of the season and their first in 13 matches. Collingwood finished the season last, only the second time in their history (the other being in 1976). Buckley also competed in the last game at Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
.
Collingwood captain
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 McGuireEddie McGuire
Edward Joseph "Eddie" McGuire AM is an Australian television presenter and businessman known for his long association with Australian rules football and the Channel 9 television network....
became president of club in 1998 and Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
was appointed coach in 2000. Collingwood finishing 15th in 2000 and ninth in 2001, with Buckley starring in both seasons. In Round 2, 2001, Buckley set a record by amassing 46 disposals, the highest total since quarters were shortened to twenty minutes in 1994 AFL season
1994 AFL season
-Ladder:All teams played 22 games during the home and away season, for a total of 165. An additional 9 games were played during the finals series. It was the first season that the AFL implemented a top 8 team finals series...
, this remained the record until Round 10 2009, when surpassed by Dane Swan
Dane Swan
Dane Swan is an Australian rules footballer for Collingwood in the Australian Football League.Since 2007 Swan has emerged as one of the AFL's elite midfielders, winner of the prestigious Brownlow Medal in 2011 with a record tally of 34 votes...
(48 disposals).
In 2002 Collingwood made the AFL Grand Final for the first time during Buckley's tenure at the club. On Grand Final day at the MCG
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
, Buckley starred in a losing team, winning the Norm Smith Medal
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
; he was the first Norm Smith Medallist from a losing team since Gary Ablett in 1989. Buckley removed the Norm Smith Medal from around his neck while descending the dais, symbolic of his disappointment and dedication to the team.
In 2003, Buckley received his highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
in a three-way tie with fellow South Australian born players Mark Ricciuto
Mark Ricciuto
Mark Anthony Ricciuto is a former Australian rules football player, who played for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League...
(Adelaide
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
) and Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes is a professional Australian rules football player with the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League ....
(Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the 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
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
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
James Clement
James Clement is a former professional Australian rules footballer for Collingwood and Fremantle in the Australian Football League...
might be a likely choice for the position. Clement later said he did not wish to become captain. Collingwood President Eddie McGuire
Eddie McGuire
Edward Joseph "Eddie" McGuire AM is an Australian television presenter and businessman known for his long association with Australian rules football and the Channel 9 television network....
played down any rumours of Buckley standing aside.
Following serious hamstring problems, Buckley played his first game of 2007 playing for the Williamstown Seagulls
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
in the VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
on 18 August 2007. 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 18 point semi-final win against West Coast in extra time, and its five point loss against Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the preliminary final where he was sitting on the bench in disappointment when the final siren sounded. Three weeks later, on 5 October 2007, Buckley announced his retirement.
Notable matches
Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 15, 1997, at Victoria Park: In his 100th senior match, Buckley had 43 possessions, many of which were goal assists to full forward Sav Rocca. The effort helped to break the club's seven match losing streak. A 10-goal final term ensuring a 100 point victory on the Magpies home ground, Victoria ParkVictoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
.
Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 8, 1999, at the MCG Collingwood had not won a match all season. Buckley was sidelined between rounds three and seven due to a broken jaw, suffered in a clash with Carlton's Justin Murphy in round two. Upon return, Buckley dominated against the Dockers with three goals and 26 disposals. He was awarded three Brownlow votes. The match was also notable for the debut of Tarkyn Lockyer
Tarkyn Lockyer
Tarkyn Lockyer is a former professional Australian rules football player who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League .- Early life :...
Collingwood vs Adelaide Round 2, 2000, at the MCG It was Collingwood's second premiership season match under new coach Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
. Scores were close all match in a tight contest. Buckley was awarded three Brownlow votes after gathering 31-disposals and three goals. Paul Williams
Paul Williams (Australian rules footballer)
Paul Williams is a former Australian rules footballer with both Collingwood and Sydney. Since retiring from playing, he has been an assistant coach, including a bried period as caretaker coach of the Western Bulldogs towards the end of the 2011 season...
and Sav Rocca scored five goals each. Collingwood won by eleven points.
Collingwood vs Fremantle Round 2, 2001, at Colonial Stadium Buckley collected a career high 46 possessions and scored two goals Collingwood beat the Dockers by 17 points at Colonial Stadium, Collingwood's first victory of the season. Buckley's 46 possessions was a record since 1994
1994 AFL season
-Ladder:All teams played 22 games during the home and away season, for a total of 165. An additional 9 games were played during the finals series. It was the first season that the AFL implemented a top 8 team finals series...
when quarters were shortened to twenty minutes. Gary Ablett jnr. (Geelong) equalled this on 18 April 2009 vs Adelaide on round 4. The record was beaten by Dane Swan (Collingwood) on 31 May 2009 vs Port Adelaide on round 10 with 48 touches.
Collingwood vs Adelaide Round 13, 2001, at Football Park Buckley scored two goals and had 37 possessions. His effort helped Collingwood beat the Crows by two points. This was the first of five straight wins against Adelaide.
Collingwood vs Brisbane, Grand Final 2002, at the MCG The 2002 Grand Final
2002 AFL Grand Final
The 2002 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 28 September 2002. It was the 106th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
will go down as perhaps Nathan Buckley's finest performance in the Collingwood jumper. Buckley had 32 disposals, and kicked a goal in the third quarter, from the boundary line, to give his side the lead. Buckley was adjudged the Norm Smith Medal
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
list of 2002.
Collingwood vs Essendon, Round 5 2003, at the MCG Collingwood lost the match by 66 points but Buckley was awarded two Bronlow Medal votes, winning 37 possessions, laying four tackles, and scoring long range goal in the second term.
Rounds 13–17 2003 In the mid-season encounters with the Western Bulldogs, the Kangaroos, Fremantle, Richmond and Carlton, Buckley hit the longest and strongest purple patch of his illustrious career. With Collingwood faltering in the middle of the ladder, with six wins and six losses after the halfway mark of the season, Buckley kicked up a gear, taking his team with him. Winning 10 Brownlow votes over the five-week stretch, Buckley's brilliance was on display for all to see, setting up a number of attacks on-ball, ably supported by the excellent form of Scott Burns
Scott Burns
Scott Burns is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Football career:Originally from Norwood Football Club in the South Australian National Football League, Burns was drafted by the Collingwood Football Club with the 90th selection in the 1992 National Draft...
, Paul Licuria
Paul Licuria
Paul Licuria is an Australian rules footballer, formerly in the Australian Football League. His father is Italian and his mother is Spanish.-Sydney Football Club:...
and Shane Woewodin
Shane Woewodin
Shane Woewodin was an Australian rules football player who played 200 games with the Melbourne and Collingwood Football Clubs. He was the recipient of the Brownlow Medal in 2000.-Early career:...
.
Collingwood vs Brisbane, Round 10 2006 With his hamstrings failing him, Buckley was positioned in attack in the latter stages of 2005, and by the midway point of 2006 played most of his football forward, with the ability to still play short bursts in the midfield. Buckley's career-best six goals (and 29-possessions) arguably won the match for the Magpies; their first win over Brisbane since the 2003 Qualifying Final.
Coaching career
After months of speculation, Buckley signed a 5 year deal with the Collingwood Football ClubCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. He will be the assistant coach for the seasons of 2010 and 2011; he will then become head coach, taking over Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
, in 2012 for three years.
Personal life
Buckley was involved in the AFL "Laws of the GameLaws of Australian football
The laws of Australian football describe the rules of the game of Australian rules football as they have evolved and adapted, with the same underlying core rules, since 1859....
" or Rules Committee until he controversially resigned.
On New Year's Eve 2002 Buckley married Tania Minnici who is known for wearing revealing gowns to the Brownlow Medal. The couple have two sons; Jett Charles, who was born on 22 December 2006 and Ayce Dominic, who was born on 21 September 2008.
Buckley now lives in a $4m house in Toorak
Toorak, Victoria
Toorak is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district located on a rise on the south side of a bend in the Yarra River. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington...
with his wife, children and black pug, Big.
Buckley has also moved into harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
and is the owner of the Group One winner Hurricane Jett, a pacer named after his oldest son and trained by highly successful trainer and Collingwood supporter Jayne Davies.
On 24 September 2008, Nathan Buckley's autobiography, All I Can Be, was published in Australia by Penguin Group (Australia)
Penguin Group
The Penguin Group is a trade book publisher, the largest in the world , having overtaken Random House in 2009. The Penguin Group is the name of the incorporated division of parent Pearson PLC that oversees these publishing operations...
.
Media
Buckley has made several appearances on the AFL Footy Show as a panelist.He was the central character in an advertising campaign by wireless broadband provider Unwired.
Buckley signed as a commentator with the Seven Network for the 2008 AFL season
2008 AFL season
-Round 1 :-Round 2:-Round 3 :-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6 :-Round 7:-AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match:-Round 8:...
, and continued commentating in 2009.
He made an appearance as a celebrity racer at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix
2008 Australian Grand Prix
The 2008 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 16 March 2008 at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia. It was the first race of the 2008 Formula One season. The race, contested over 58 laps, was won by Lewis Hamilton for the McLaren team after...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, in which he came second overall.
Accomplishments
Brownlow MedalBrownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
- Winner – 2003 (3 way tie)
- 2nd – 1998
- 3rd – 1999 (equal)
- 5th – 1996 (equal), 2000 (equal)
Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
- Norm Smith MedalNorm Smith MedalThe Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
2002 - Rising Star AwardAFL Rising Star awardThe NAB AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a standout young player in the Australian Football League. Since 2007 the winner has been presented with the Ron Evans Medal and was first awarded in 1993...
1993
Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
- Best & Fairest 1994 (equal), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003
- RT Rush Trophy 1997
- JJ Joyce Trophy 2001
- Collingwood Team Of The Century
- Club captain 1999–2007
Brisbane Bears Football Club
- 2nd Best and Fairest 1993
Representative Honours
- All-Australian TeamAll-Australian TeamThe All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 - All-Australian Team vice-captain 1999, 2000, 2003
- International RulesInternational rules footballInternational rules football is a team sport consisting of a hybrid of football codes, which was developed to facilitate international representative matches between Australian rules football players and Gaelic football players....
Series 1999 (captain) - Alex Jesaulenko MedalAlex Jesaulenko MedalThe Alex Jesaulenko Medal refers to three unrelated medals in Australian rules football, all named in honour of Alex Jesaulenko, a legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. The medals are currently awarded annually to the best player in the grand final of the AFL Canberra league and to the...
1997 - Allies captain 1997
South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
- Magarey MedalMagarey MedalFor the biography award of the same name, see Magarey Medal for biography. For a list of winners, see List of Magarey Medallists.The Magarey Medal is an Australian rules football honour awarded annually since 1898 to the fairest and most brilliant player in the South Australian National Football...
1992 - Jack Oatey Medal (Grand Final B.O.G.) 1992
- Port Adelaide Football ClubPort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
Best & Fairest 1992
Premierships
- SANFL 19921992 SANFL Grand FinalThe 1992 SANFL Grand Final saw the Port Adelaide Magpies defeat the Glenelg Tigers by 56 points. The match was played on Saturday 3 October 1992 at Football Park in wet weather in front of a crowd of 42,242 ....
(Port Adelaide Football ClubPort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
)
External links
- All I Can Be – site for Nathan Buckley's autobiography