Nathan Buckley has taken a significant step towards potentially becoming the inaugural coach of Tasmania’s new Australian Football League (AFL) team by accepting an assistant coaching position at the Geelong Football Club. Buckley, who previously expressed interest in the head coaching role with Melbourne before ultimately declining, has openly stated his desire to lead the Devils when they join the AFL in 2028.
In a recent interview, Buckley confirmed his enthusiasm for coaching again. When asked whether he would accept an offer to coach the new Tasmanian club, he stated, “I would love to coach again. If Tassie feel like I am a fit, then I will be there.” His comments underscore his readiness to return to club football after a four-year stint in media following his departure as head coach of the Collingwood Football Club in 2021.
Geelong Welcomes Buckley to Coaching Staff
Geelong announced Buckley’s appointment on October 23, 2023, without specifying the length of his contract, although he is set to contribute for the 2026 season. Geelong’s football boss, Andrew Mackie, expressed excitement about Buckley joining the coaching group, highlighting his “strong appetite to return to coaching” and the value he will bring to players and staff alike.
The Tasmania Devils also congratulated Buckley on his new role, viewing it as a positive development for his aspirations to coach at the AFL level. The statement from the Devils noted, “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.”
A New Chapter for Buckley and Geelong
Buckley’s move to Geelong comes after the club faced scrutiny for administrative errors related to third-party payments, resulting in a fine from the AFL. In a light-hearted response to the situation, Buckley shared an AI-generated image of himself on a farm, engaging with social media humor surrounding his appointment.
During his previous tenure with Collingwood, Buckley was at the helm from 2012 to 2021, leading the team to the 2018 grand final, where they narrowly lost to the West Coast Eagles. Now, at 53 years old, Buckley’s return to coaching is seen as a major coup for Geelong, especially following their recent grand final defeat to the Brisbane Lions.
At Geelong, Buckley will work under long-serving head coach Chris Scott, who is set to begin his 16th season in charge. Scott is expected to extend his tenure with the Cats, potentially remaining until the end of 2029. This collaboration may position Geelong favorably for future seasons while Buckley prepares for his anticipated role with Tasmania.
