Back in 2017 I wrote a piece entitled ‘Stop baffling me, Buckley!‘, which focused on the simple fact that I was finding it very difficult to work out whether Nathan Buckley was a competent AFL coach, or a favourite son destined to drive the Collingwood Magpies well and truly into the pit of irrelevance.
After inheriting a mighty Collingwood team that had won the 2010 flag and lost just three times in 2011, on each and every occasion to the eventual premiers Geelong, Buckley sought to establish his coaching reputation at the Magpies.
The shadow of former coach Mick Malthouse loomed large and as the wins dried up over the following five years, the doubters appeared to have been correct.
2012 saw Buckley lead his team to 16 wins, 14 followed in 2013, before the team slumped into mediocrity between 2014 and 2017; four fruitless years without finals play.
Many at the time were wondering just how Buckley continued to have the faith of the board, even considering the voices on it that were convinced he was the man to return to club to greatness.
The Collingwood playing champion was to have something of a revival as a coach over the following two years.
2018 saw the Magpies advance all the way to the final match of the season, only to have Dom Sheed snatch victory from them in the final moments and 2019 brought similar pain, as the GWS Giants prevailed over them in a low-scoring preliminary final at the MCG.
By that stage of Nathan Buckley’s coaching career, I was completely mystified.
At first he had seemed like a dud, them loomed as a man who was potentially learning on the job, before the final days of his mentoring at Collingwood appeared to confirm that he was simply not up to the job.
By late 2021, a season where the Magpies won just six matches come season’s end and slumped far beyond contention, Collingwood fans finally witnessed what had been seen as inevitable years earlier, as the board and Buckley agreed to part ways.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Most concerning was the negative and stodgy method being employed by the team each week and despite all and sundry appreciating the defensive pillars implemented by Buckley, only a fool would have believed that his conservative approach would ever lead to a flag.
Former Brisbane Lion Craig McRae was employed as the man to take the club forward and after what was something of an up-and-down start to the 2022 season, the subsequent explosion of success speaks volumes of not only his coaching and guidance, but also of Buckley’s inability to extract something similar from what he openly admits is a very similar playing group.
McRae has turned the Magpies into the most exciting team in the AFL, one on a remarkable run that has seen them win 11 matches in succession and become a serious contender that sits second on the ladder heading into the final two weeks of the season.
As a Fox Footy commentator, the challenge for Buckley was always going to be considerable. A team that many had predicted to finish in the bottom three or four on the ladder now sits near the top of the pops and the man who took the reins has made his conservative predecessor look something of a goose; a coach too restrictive and conservative to be able to unleash a playing group that have proven their attacking potential in 2022.
It was sad to hear Buckley’s comments after the Pies toppled the Demons in what was another nail-biter last Friday night at the MCG, as he somehow attempted to take undeserved credit for a win born of the refreshing and expansive coaching of McRae.
”This is five years of good footy with a bad year last year, what Fly has done has been amazing, but it’s been built off the nucleus of a senior core that have been there for five or six years doing this.”
I’m sorry, Nathan, but that is utter rubbish.
The Collingwood Magpies had been driven into the ground under your guidance, even considering the odd spike in success based on a resilient defence.
What the team is producing in 2022 is simply brilliant, brave, adventurous and bold; elements that your conservatism would never have allowed.
Panozzo
Roar Rookie
The football mainstream media is at least in part to blame, by which I mean every time a coach is under pressure they go to old figjam and ask if he has been approached about the possible job,,,, what club in their right mind would employ him, he should have the good grace or at least common sense to shut up when the Collingwoods performance this year is raised
Kevin
Guest
Just a hatchet job mate. It’s dumb to expect the same side that won in 2010 would be there 5 years later. They contended for most of Buckleys coaching reign. Hard to do for a very long time. Only good organisations can do it. If they win in 2018, he is probably still there. 2019 they had a bad loss in the wet in the prelim. Oh how many other teams would’ve liked their success! Give us a spell please mate.
Rowley
Guest
Nathan is correct. Of the past five years they've had four good seasons and one poor season in 2021 driven by a horror trade/draft period.
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
Bucks is right tho that the Pies have been good for a few years bar one so this year shouldn’t be seen as big a surprise to us. A large part of their team is still the same as played the 2018 GF, and finals two years ago. But Bucks’ comment does nothing really more so than point out he wasn’t able to get the best out of this group. In another football’s parlance, bit of an own goal!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Maybe, but Dusty’s aren’t exactly easy to come by. Secondly, I agree that it’s a similar attack, but it’s not a similar defence. Defence is king.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Again you're partly right. Fly and Leppa have brought across to the Pies a crucial element of Richmond's game plan of move the ball forward at all costs. It's pretty obvious to see. We just need a Dusty roaming around half forward and the middle and look out!
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Very impressed, you know your stuff PD. Really pleased you named Stewie Loewe. Often played in the shadow of the great 2TT, but he was a super player. As a Hawks fan, I only found out a couple years ago that Allen Jeans went to see him play as a 17yo but chose not to sign him as he was well contained on the day by another kid named Stephen Silvagni. One change I would make, I know he was a knob, but I would have Brendan Fevola in there ahead of Robbie Gray. Who knows, if Port lift their game dramatically next year, he might be excluded under the criteria anyway. They have plenty of talent down there. 2022 must have been a very frustrating year for doggie supporters. Still a chance for the 8, but I reckon Carlton are going to have to lose both matches & you are going to have to win both of yours.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'd agree that seems bl00dy awful being so bad in both those metrics. They won't win this year because of that very fact. To be honest, I'd rather play them than your boys come finals. Then again, no team is beating the Cats this year, so it matters little. :stoked:
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Sometimes the best form of defense is attack. :happy: Statistically the Doggies may have had the 4th best defense last year, but most watchers would say our defense has been a big weakness for years. Your own comment says the Pies have the 7th best attack and 7th worst defense. They'd like to be higher in both, but you'd have to agree that seems pretty balanced! :happy:
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Yes that's a good question! Ablett Senior and Lockett would be the first two and Harvey would definitely make the cut. I'd include Chris Grant, Brad Johnson, Bob Murphy, Matthew Pavlich, Richo, Paul Roos, Eddie Betts, Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Stewart Leowe, Nicky Winmar, David Neitz, Paddy Dangerfield, Robbie Gray, Paul Kelly, Nic Nat, Jim Stynes and my namesake Dougie Hawkins. Buckley would be in under this criteria too.
Windrince
Roar Rookie
Who do you support Stuart? Just interested.
D Ross
Guest
The stats are not in Nathan's favour. It was all downhill. His comments after the Pies win over the Demons was sour grapes. It really let him down. I thought as a player and coach he was too controlling.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I think you'll find they're nothing like Richmond. Not in their defence, anyway. Richmond always valued defence. In 2017, 19 & 20, their defence was among the best in the league. Their attack, however, was poor, only rating between 6th to 8th in those years. Quite ordinary, really. However, in the year they were most dominant, 2018, their attack was one of the best, as was their defence. Funny, isn't it? I cannot explain that, other than saying, sometimes your attack can compromise your defence. It certainly happened in the Prelim against the Pies.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Hi PD, yes you are right, not there with Ablett Snr or Lockett but he still was a very good player. Nice to have a choice between Pendles or Buckley. Obviously the real point I was making is that he is going to be remembered for his playing abilities rather than his coaching prowess. It would be interesting for someone to list the 12 best players over the last 30 years not to have won a premiership. I would have to sneak Robert Harvey in.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I read the dictionary, l thought it was a poem about everything.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Fair summary DD re Pies this year (but Fly's style definitely more likely to win a flag than Bucks) BUT still believe Pies can win it this year......and regardless of any outcome I think and sure hope they will approach it that way. Peter's point about our defence stocks taking a hit all year is valid and probably explains that side of things a bit more deeply. Pies style is similar to Tiges at their best, which is not surprising of course....... funnily enough Pies are doing it without a recognised key ruckman (our boys are learning on the job), or genuine recognised key forwards, and as has been pointed out our defensive resources have been stretched to the max.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Rubbish. Freo have the 12th best attack in the league. You’re entitled to your opinion but not your own facts.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
They didn’t get close to defeating Melbourne. Secondly, the Dogs had the 2nd best offence and 4 th best defence last year. That’s well balanced. Conversely, the Pies have the 7th best attack and 7th worst defence. That’s not balanced at all.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Can you find another word for Thesaurus in a Thesaurus ?
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
With his training wheels on.