Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has revealed he’s had a number of discussions with Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale about potentially taking on the club’s inaugural head coaching position.
Speaking on SEN’s Whateley program, Buckley confirmed there is “a chance” he could coach Tasmania when they enter the AFL.
“We met a couple of times last year – the initial one was from him, and then the second one was from me to understand the challenge that the Devils face,” Buckley said.
The 2003 Brownlow medallist was responding to recent comments by Gale, who on May 16 identified Buckley as someone who would be “attractive… worth talking to” for the role.
Buckley, who coached Collingwood for nine years until 2021, acknowledged he still has the desire to return to coaching but remains undecided about the timing.
“That coaching bug is still there. I’m really enjoying what I’m doing at the moment,” he said.
The 52-year-old said the idea of building a club from the ground up was unique compared to joining an established team.
“An existing club versus the Devils, they’re two very different propositions. That challenge is something so different to anything I’ve experienced, but it’s fundamental, it’s what footy is all about.”
Buckley praised Tasmania’s methodical approach to establishing the club, which is set to join the AFL in 2028.
“I think they’ve been exceptional in the slow build that they’ve done, they’ve got the order right,” he said.
However, the premiership still eludes Buckley as a coach, something he admits drives his decision-making.
“If you go back into coaching you want to win a flag,” he said.
“That may or may not happen with the Devils in their first four or five years. The pragmatic version would be ‘no, that won’t happen, you’re setting it up to leave a legacy for generations down the track’.”
