Coach Buckley steps down

[Matt_352]

It's the dawn of a new era that's for sure

 

[barrackers]

Phonse Kyne.

• 510 games as player and coach
• Premiership player (1935, 1936)
• Premiership coach (1953, 1958)
• Collingwood captain (1942, 1946-1949)
• Copeland Trophy (1946-1948)
• Spent 29 years at the club (1934-1963)

Three seasons in the middle of his playing career that were interrupted due to his war service, so a bit of what could have been in terms of his footy. Seeing the esteem that Bucks is held in this week certainly makes me consider just how influential the likes of Kyne must have been.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Thanks Bucks

 

[Trickster]

I'm pretty cooked emotionally after today as are most I imagine. Probably the most emotional since the 19 prelim. Certainly a new era from tomorrow onwards and it will be different seeing Harvey do the press conference next week.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

I'm pretty cooked emotionally after today as are most I imagine. Probably the most emotional since the 19 prelim. Certainly a new era from tomorrow onwards and it will be different seeing Harvey do the press conference next week.

It's been a draining week for the whole club.

It might be a blessing in disguise to have the bye now. Gives the playing group a chance to recharge and Harvey gets an extra week to prepare for the Fremantle game.

 

[barrackers]

I'm pretty cooked emotionally after today as are most I imagine. Probably the most emotional since the 19 prelim. Certainly a new era from tomorrow onwards and it will be different seeing Harvey do the press conference next week.

It's a weird synergy. I had the same cautious optimism shortly before today's game that I had walking around the 'G before the '19 prelim. A sense that something unexpected may unfold.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Didn't expect to feel this way, but I'm a little flat after all of that. I was a critic of Buckley and an advocate for changing the coaching personnel, but there's a tinge of sadness it's over.

Since Buckley became coach, I reckon I've only missed half a dozen Melbourne-based games out of 170-180 games played here. Being a part of that journey through good times and in bad means there will always be a deep attachment to this era for me personally.

The Buckley story started in 1993, but his coaching story started in 2009 which has been 12 years. Whether you wanted him to stay or not, we've all been immersed in the journey the whole way through.

A new era is about to start, and it's more than likely an "outsider" will be appointed coach. I just hope this individual will receive the same backing and support, and we will enjoy a new era ahead.

Buckley's exit is one of the most dignified I've seen in the football landscape. His reputation is in tact, the supporter base still adores him and relations between him and the club appear to be as good as they can be in the circumstances.

 

[Maggie5]

Didn't expect to feel this way, but I'm a little flat after all of that. I was a critic of Buckley and an advocate for changing the coaching personnel, but there's a tinge of sadness it's over.

Since Buckley became coach, I reckon I've only missed half a dozen Melbourne-based games out of 170-180 games played here. Being a part of that journey through good times and in bad means there will always be a deep attachment to this era for me personally.

The Buckley story started in 1993, but his coaching story started in 2009 which has been 12 years. Whether you wanted him to stay or not, we've all been immersed in the journey the whole way through.

A new era is about to start, and it's more than likely an "outsider" will be appointed coach. I just hope this individual will receive the same backing and support, and we will enjoy a new era ahead.

Buckley's exit is one of the most dignified I've seen in the football landscape. His reputation is in tact, the supporter base still adores him and relations between him and the club appear to be as good as they can be in the circumstances.

I am still feeling numb and disbelief. I have been a big fan of Buckley (should be well known by now), but am not sure I can immediately embrace a new coach (depending on who it will be).

Think it is going to take some time sadly but will try and not be immediately negative, will give them a chance (I hope).

 

[barrackers]

I am still feeling numb and disbelief. I have been a big fan of Buckley (should be well known by now), but am not sure I can immediately embrace a new coach (depending on who it will be).

Think it is going to take some time sadly but will try and not be immediately negative, will give them a chance (I hope).

Even though I didn't want a mid-year exit for Buckley it will give club and fans a 6 month transition period. In hindsight I don't think that's a bad thing.

 

[THATSGOLD]

Over to you Rob. Big boots to fill.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Buckley's exit is one of the most dignified I've seen in the football landscape. His reputation is in tact, the supporter base still adores him and relations between him and the club appear to be as good as they can be in the circumstances.

That begs a bunch of questions …

(1) Why is it that way? Obviously Buckley is a part of that, but the club is too, and the club will have moulded Buckley to be like that in some way, and what is it about the club has led to this?

(2) Is this a good thing? I think so, but do others? If the coach gets the boot, and goes postal in the process, it doesn’t make the fans love their club any less, they just think the bloke is bitter and twisted. It adds to the drama. It adds to the passion.

(3) Does this inform the new coach selection process? Obviously we want our coach to bring success, and not just the warm and fuzzies when they leave. But if they’re the kind of coach who would have a dignified exit, then that would bode well for their tenure?

 

[Trickster]

That begs a bunch of questions …

(1) Why is it that way? Obviously Buckley is a part of that, but the club is too, and the club will have moulded Buckley to be like that in some way, and what is it about the club has led to this?

(2) Is this a good thing? I think so, but do others? If the coach gets the boot, and goes postal in the process, it doesn’t make the fans love their club any less, they just think the bloke is bitter and twisted. It adds to the drama. It adds to the passion.

(3) Does this inform the new coach selection process? Obviously we want our coach to bring success, and not just the warm and fuzzies when they leave. But if they’re the kind of coach who would have a dignified exit, then that would bode well for their tenure?

You pose good questions there.

With regards to 1, I think part of that is to do with when Buckley became captain, he realised that for him to get to where he wanted (team success), he needed to become more empathetic and see others perspective more, realising that players are wired differently. So he became more selfless and embodied a team first mentality which has stayed with him to now. I mean even his book, he allowed others to contribute sections to get a rounded view on him from different people irrespective of how that looked upon him.

I mean imagine if Malthouse had that attitude and stayed on (or left without bitterness) what that would have done to the playing group. He created factions within and made it more difficult for Bucks until he moulded the list to his liking.

And so I think if Bucks wanted to leave in a bitter fashion, he could have but that's not his way. He sees the bigger picture, appreciates what the club has given him (even though we see what he has given it) and wants the club to improve and win a premiership even if he's not there in an official capacity. That's what makes him so special and unique. And what we love about him.

 

[jonmacTrag]

You pose good questions there.

With regards to 1, I think part of that is to do with when Buckley became captain, he realised that for him to get to where he wanted (team success), he needed to become more empathetic and see others perspective more, realising that players are wired differently. So he became more selfless and embodied a team first mentality which has stayed with him to now. I mean even his book, he allowed others to contribute sections to get a rounded view on him from different people irrespective of how that looked upon him.

I mean imagine if Malthouse had that attitude and stayed on (or left without bitterness) what that would have done to the playing group. He created factions within and made it more difficult for Bucks until he moulded the list to his liking.

And so I think if Bucks wanted to leave in a bitter fashion, he could have but that's not his way. He sees the bigger picture, appreciates what the club has given him (even though we see what he has given it) and wants the club to improve and win a premiership even if he's not there in an official capacity. That's what makes him so special and unique. And what we love about him.

What the haters will never admit is that much of the early troubles for Buckley's coaching tenure came as a direct result of Malthouses divisive and vindictive actions.

Buck's refusal to get down in the gutter with Malthouse in the media shows the difference between the two men - one a gentleman and the other a vindictive and twisted personality.

Give me a gentleman over a viper any day of the week.

 

[ThanksRossy]

Yesterday seems surreal. Feeling heartbroken today.
Losses to Brisbane and port could’ve easily gone our way and we’d be a game or so out of the 8. Yet here we are today with our favourite son seemingly pushed out and no guarantee the next coach will even be as good, let alone better than bucks.
Side by side is a joke.

 

[Plecnik]

What the haters will never admit is that much of the early troubles for Buckley's coaching tenure came as a direct result of Malthouses divisive and vindictive actions.

Buck's refusal to get down in the gutter with Malthouse in the media shows the difference between the two men - one a gentleman and the other a vindictive and twisted personality.

Give me a gentleman over a viper any day of the week.

Here here.
Give me Buckley over Malthouse any day. Only one of them actually cares about the club.

Although I've come to terms with the decision of the board. I still think there is no better coach in the game to coach this team than Nathan Buckley. We do need new assistants but Buckley is the best man for the job even if it is for the next 3-5 years.
I worry the team will go backwards with a new coach and the rebuild will push out. I really hope I'm wrong but that's just the way I see it.
People seem to think having a new coach will suddenly make us a contender. If the club doesn't get this appointment right which at the end of the day is a gamble, we'll be far worse off than we would have been with Buckley. We could spend the next 10-15 years in the wilderness like Carlton, Essendon, Melbourne and Richmond (before Hardwick) did undertaking perpetual rebuilds.
If it ain't broke don't fix it and in my opinion the only thing that was broken was our contract management and board leadership. It was never with Buckley's coaching.

 

[Countrypie]

Here here.
Give me Buckley over Malthouse any day. Only one of them actually cares about the club.

Although I've come to terms with the decision of the board. I still think there is no better coach in the game to coach this team than Nathan Buckley. We do need new assistants but Buckley is the best man for the job even if it is for the next 3-5 years.
I worry the team will go backwards with a new coach and the rebuild will push out. I really hope I'm wrong but that's just the way I see it.
People seem to think having a new coach will suddenly make us a contender. If the club doesn't get this appointment right which at the end of the day is a gamble, we'll be far worse off than we would have been with Buckley. We could spend the next 10-15 years in the wilderness like Carlton, Essendon, Melbourne and Richmond (before Hardwick) did undertaking perpetual rebuilds.
If it ain't broke don't fix it and in my opinion the only thing that was broken was our contract management and board leadership. It was never with Buckley's coaching.

I hear you, and there is a time would have agreed with you. However, for most of this season, my observations of Nathan were that he was pretty worn out, not necessarily by the coaching, but by the media circus that went into overdrive in the off season. I also suspect that the rather unpalatable sandwich that the club gave him in relation to Trade period on top of the utter alienness of Hub Life probably tested him and hurt him much more than he'll ever say. I suspect that he knew in November that this would in all likelihood be his last season. I reckon he knows in his heart of hearts that there was not a lot more to give - add that to his family situation and I think the timing is right.
In the end football is a game - a game that has defined and tested him publicly for nearly three decades. It is a game that demands total buy in. His boys are at a critical age and faced with many challenges as they come to terms with their parent's separation. He has to put them first - and I suspect that ultimately he knew that something had to give. While people can speculate on whether he was pushed or not, his demeanor speaks volumes. He is comfortable with the decision and that is enough for me.
I'm not sure he'll coach again. Part o f me hopes he doesn't ever coach against us. Listen carefully to his words, Nathan won't be defined by success on the football field, he aims to be successful at life.

 

[gouki88]

I hear you, and there is a time would have agreed with you. However, for most of this season, my observations of Nathan were that he was pretty worn out, not necessarily by the coaching, but by the media circus that went into overdrive in the off season. I also suspect that the rather unpalatable sandwich that the club gave him in relation to Trade period on top of the utter alienness of Hub Life probably tested him and hurt him much more than he'll ever say. I suspect that he knew in November that this would in all likelihood be his last season. I reckon he knows in his heart of hearts that there was not a lot more to give - add that to his family situation and I think the timing is right.
In the end football is a game - a game that has defined and tested him publicly for nearly three decades. It is a game that demands total buy in. His boys are at a critical age and faced with many challenges as they come to terms with their parent's separation. He has to put them first - and I suspect that ultimately he knew that something had to give. While people can speculate on whether he was pushed or not, his demeanor speaks volumes. He is comfortable with the decision and that is enough for me.
I'm not sure he'll coach again. Part o f me hopes he doesn't ever coach against us. Listen carefully to his words, Nathan won't be defined by success on the football field, he aims to be successful at life.

I think your last sentence is of particular importance. I think people have ideas of Buckley based on who he was previously - chiefly, someone with enormous ambition and a pretty serious ego. I don't think that's who he is anymore. No doubt he still has that innate drive, but I heard talking heads on some footy show citing him in the late 90s saying he wanted to leave an imprint, and said talking head (maybe Gerard Healy?) used this as evidence of him believing Bucks will coach again.

Sure, he very well could coach again. I just don't think it's very likely, at least any time soon. He's been put through more than most coaches, and his personal life should be at the forefront.

I hope if he does return to the football world it's in a media role, or some ambassador-type role.

 

[Countrypie]

I think your last sentence is of particular importance. I think people have ideas of Buckley based on who he was previously - chiefly, someone with enormous ambition and a pretty serious ego. I don't think that's who he is anymore. No doubt he still has that innate drive, but I heard talking heads on some footy show citing him in the late 90s saying he wanted to leave an imprint, and said talking head (maybe Gerard Healy?) used this as evidence of him believing Bucks will coach again.

Sure, he very well could coach again. I just don't think it's very likely, at least any time soon. He's been put through more than most coaches, and his personal life should be at the forefront.

I hope if he does return to the football world it's in a media role, or some ambassador-type role.

Yeah - that's my feeling. I think that Buckley is way ahead mentally and emotionally of someone like Healy who sees himself through a very narrow football lens and assumes everyone else operates on the same level.

 

[jonmacTrag]

Yeah - that's my feeling. I think that Buckley is way ahead mentally and emotionally of someone like Healy who sees himself through a very narrow football lens and assumes everyone else operates on the same level.

I think your last sentence is of particular importance. I think people have ideas of Buckley based on who he was previously - chiefly, someone with enormous ambition and a pretty serious ego. I don't think that's who he is anymore. No doubt he still has that innate drive, but I heard talking heads on some footy show citing him in the late 90s saying he wanted to leave an imprint, and said talking head (maybe Gerard Healy?) used this as evidence of him believing Bucks will coach again.

Sure, he very well could coach again. I just don't think it's very likely, at least any time soon. He's been put through more than most coaches, and his personal life should be at the forefront.

I hope if he does return to the football world it's in a media role, or some ambassador-type role.

Whatever he turns his hand to in the future it will be with 110% focus and intensity - he knows no other way.

 

[jackcass]

Here here.
Give me Buckley over Malthouse any day. Only one of them actually cares about the club.

Although I've come to terms with the decision of the board. I still think there is no better coach in the game to coach this team than Nathan Buckley. We do need new assistants but Buckley is the best man for the job even if it is for the next 3-5 years.
I worry the team will go backwards with a new coach and the rebuild will push out. I really hope I'm wrong but that's just the way I see it.
People seem to think having a new coach will suddenly make us a contender. If the club doesn't get this appointment right which at the end of the day is a gamble, we'll be far worse off than we would have been with Buckley. We could spend the next 10-15 years in the wilderness like Carlton, Essendon, Melbourne and Richmond (before Hardwick) did undertaking perpetual rebuilds.
If it ain't broke don't fix it and in my opinion the only thing that was broken was our contract management and board leadership. It was never with Buckley's coaching.

I'm not sure how people get to this position. My reading of the course of event given everything I've read and heard:

1. Wrighty and Bucks decide whoever coaches the team 2022 and beyond needs to be prepared to commit for 2-5 years.
2. Bucks indicates he's unable to commit to that term ruling himself out of continuing.
3. Bucks steps down.

While I'm sure they would have discussed with the board prior to making any announcements, this seems anything but a board directive/decision. Especially when all the scuttlebutt was suggesting the board were more likely than not to re-appoint for 2022.

 

[Trickster]

I'm not sure how people get to this position. My reading of the course of event given everything I've read and heard:

1. Wrighty and Bucks decide whoever coaches the team 2022 and beyond needs to be prepared to commit for 2-5 years.
2. Bucks indicates he's unable to commit to that term ruling himself out of continuing.
3. Bucks steps down.

While I'm sure they would have discussed with the board prior to making any announcements, this seems anything but a board directive/decision. Especially when all the scuttlebutt was suggesting the board were more likely than not to re-appoint for 2022.

In his presser he said he was a positive person and if they offered him the role for next year they would have found a way (one of his mantras). Its pretty apparent Bucks was told you won't coach so it all became how it could be portrayed as amicable given his love for the pies.

 

[jackcass]

In his presser he said he was a positive person and if they offered him the role for next year they would have found a way (one of his mantras). Its pretty apparent Bucks was told you won't coach so it all became how it could be portrayed as amicable given his love for the pies.

Being prepared to see out this year and potentially next is a long way shy of a 2-5 year commitment, as he himself indicated.

 

[Plecnik]

I'm not sure how people get to this position. My reading of the course of event given everything I've read and heard:

1. Wrighty and Bucks decide whoever coaches the team 2022 and beyond needs to be prepared to commit for 2-5 years.
2. Bucks indicates he's unable to commit to that term ruling himself out of continuing.
3. Bucks steps down.

While I'm sure they would have discussed with the board prior to making any announcements, this seems anything but a board directive/decision. Especially when all the scuttlebutt was suggesting the board were more likely than not to re-appoint for 2022.

Bucks was absolutely told by the board that given the salary cap issues and current age profile of the list they needed a 3-5 year focus and he would not be offered that kind of contract. I believe (based on nothing but what I've observed) that Buckley would have taken a 3 year deal if it was on offer. He's too much of a competitor not to and his love and desire for the game and club is too strong. But given he didn't have the backing of the board he was humble and gracious enough to step down because that's the type of person he is.

Not sure if anyone caught it but Mark Korda went for a Scott Morrison type handshake after the game last night and it looked decidedly awkward. Buckley hardly embraced him and didn't look overly happy to see him.

Link to video of it on twitter:


I think he'll coach again at another club and get that premiership.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Bucks was absolutely told by the board that given the salary cap issues and current age profile of the list they needed a 3-5 year focus and he would not be offered that kind of contract. I believe (based on nothing but what I've observed) that Buckley would have taken a 3 year deal if it was on offer. He's too much of a competitor not to and his love and desire for the game and club is too strong. But given he didn't have the backing of the board he was humble and gracious enough to step down because that's the type of person he is.

Not sure if anyone caught it but Mark Korda went for a Scott Morrison type handshake after the game last night and it looked decidedly awkward. Buckley hardly embraced him and didn't look overly happy to see him.

Link to video of it on twitter:


I think he'll coach again at another club and get that premiership.

Ugh that was an abomination.

 

[jmac70]

Well the footy gods gave us one day, to enjoy the win and reflect upon Buckley’s departure, before dumping more crap on us.

I’ve had it with this season. Time for a break.

Take care all.