Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has officially announced he is stepping down from his role at the club.
He informed players and staff of his decision this morning. Monday’s Queen’s Birthday clash against Melbourne will be his last game in charge. Robert Harvey will serve as interim senior coach for the remainder of 2021.
“Everything has it’s time and the club and I have reached ours,” Buckley said in a statement posted to Collingwood’s website.
“Graham (Wright) and I have been in conversation consistently in the last few months about what the path forward is for the program and what it needs to progress.
“When it came to the senior coaching role it became clear that a clean slate, for new energies and a new voice, was necessary. So that is what has been decided.
“I’ve loved every moment of my time at the club and in any role I have given my all to it. This program is full of so many great people who are committed and connected to one another absolutely.
“I’ll miss being a part of that but will always feel like a part of me is left with them. I sincerely wish all of the staff, coaches and players every success.”
Buckley had been under immense pressure all season following the club’s poor start that has netted them three wins from 12 games. Buckley had also been the target of severe criticism for the role he played in Collingwood’s disastrous trade period last offseason.
The ten-year coach publicly criticised journalist Sam Edmund over his reports that Adam Treloar, now at the Bulldogs, had been told by Buckley on a phone call that other players no longer wanted him around. However, not only was Edmund proven correct, but subsequent reports claim the players had no issue with Treloar at all.
Jaidyn Stephenson, now at North Melbourne, also claimed he had been given no indication by Buckley that he’d be up for trade until the last minute.
Buckley took over from premiership-winning coach Michael Malthouse at the start of the 2012 season in a well-publicised handover.
He took Collingwood to a top-four finish and a preliminary final in his first season, but the Magpies were beaten by eventual premiers Sydney in that game.
In 2013, they slightly underperformed in finishing sixth, before suffering a shock loss to Port Adelaide in a home elimination final.
Pressure began to mount seriously on Buckley over the next few seasons as the Pies continued to slide. They finished 11th in 2014, before falling to 12th in 2015 and 2016 and 13th in 2017.
The former club captain earned a surprise contract extension despite the on-field woes and it paid immediate dividends, with the club shooting up the ladder in 2018.
They upset reigning premiers Richmond in a stunning preliminary final and kicked the first five goals of the decider against West Coast, but saw their lead slowly whittled away as they eventually went down by five points in a classic.
They didn’t quite hit the same highs in 2019, making it through a home preliminary final but going down to Greater Western Sydney, before barely scraping into the top eight last season.
They earned a famous win over West Coast in that elimination final, but were simply no match for Geelong in the semi-final.
This season has been a different story, with the Magpies enduring shocking scoring woes and being stuck in the bottom four with just three wins to their name.
CHRISTOS KARAMEROS
Guest
The options are quite clear to all and sundry. Mark Williams or Sam Mitchell. Nathan Buckley knew it already as was evident by the joint press conference he had with Graham Wright. The two didn't seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet nor did they see eye to eye. In fact, Buckley seemed to have the upper hand by saying: "I'm off! Leave me alone..." The new coach has already been chosen and is keeping a low profile by mutual agreement. Everyone of the parties involved is being un-McGuire like in their behaviour! Sam Mitchell is the ideal candidate only to be bettered by Mark Williams. The other possible coaches don't inspire either fans or hierarchy...Come on Maggies we have finally decided to be ruthless for a change. It's about time we showed some fight which the rest of the AFL doesn't like as it may yield a Collingwood flag. Well, no more dumb social media nonsense such as the publicity that typified the middle of Buckley's reign with Treloar, Stephenson and a few others grabbing the limelight instead of playing footy. Let's play good old-fashioned footy the Collingwood way and let's keep our heads down....Thanks Pies! All of us fans will be supporting you all the way for the remainder of 2021 and beyond-take it from me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjHiASl50Yg
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Alot of people think the same thing but look to Sydney i guess, they brought in pyke and they've been alot more attacking, maybe with the right assistants around him it could work. Definitely a watch this space though.
John
Think Keane has potential. Brown brothers just favoured sons.
John
Hasn’t the game moved on re Ross Lyons.Don’t really see him as an attacking genius.
John
It was created by the guy who created Webex. What's Webex?
John
That's harsh!
John
Very intense man, is he the right fit?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Ross the boss current favourite
John
Bucks clearly stated he wanted to spend more time with his boys. Coaching at this level is all consuming. Good luck Bucks!
John
Wow, didn't realise he was that bad. Is it looking like Sam Mitchell?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I'm an impatient b@stard, I want to know now.lol.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah well if bomber Thompson can supplant his ego in a mentoring role to James Hird then I think the senpai kouhai system is a good way to go.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
you've def got me questioning what they will go.for now, i was sure it'd be a experienced coach but you got me thinking along your lines now, how would ross work as a mentor maybe for a rookie coach maybe.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I’ll fight my way through it. All it takes is for both of them to string a few wins together & things should return to normal. Not sure when that might be though.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yep I think that a bomber Thompson James Hird style coaching mentor ship may work- obviously sans peptides. But the logic before that was sound.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I think its turned out even more important these days with who you've got around you, Goodwin and hardwick are perfect examples, people were ready to give them both the boot and look at them now and I think that was as much to do with who they brought in around them. Its a big job whoever gets it, the scrutiny will be intense whoever takes it.
1dog
Roar Rookie
Ross the boss- your new coach is mates with SOS... could be interesting
Davico
Roar Pro
Why is it totally unacceptable for the Pies to be near the bottom of the ladder? Every club can't be up near the top every year! The fact is that Pies just don't have a good team! Swans went through being near the bottom for a couple of years after making the Finals for a long time, Hawthorn is now struggling. Melbourne was terrible for a long time and are now up the top. The comp is always going to have teams move up and down over periods and anyone who expects their team to be near the top of the ladder every year is DELUSIONAL, especially when there is a draft and salary cap.
1dog
Roar Rookie
No. Amen
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I think rookie with senior mentor ship is the way to go like they were supposed to go with bucks