Buckley's autobiography..

[Boris the Contradiction]

I realise this is a little belated but I'm almost half way through it and I can't put it down. The man is a dead set legend and the definition of what a club needs to achieve success; absolute tragedy he never achieved any.

Sounds like we (and everyone else including the blokes in the ivory towers) were VERY dodgy behind the scenes. Who's read it???? Was/is everyone else just as captivated?? The more I read it the more I want him to be our next coach. The dead set honesty of the man and the fact that he's always had to do things the hard way, often battling with a poor public perception of him speaks volumes of the man. His is exactly the type of personality that breeds premierships and although he hasn't done a formal apprenticeship; seems to be one of the more astute football minds going around. What are people's thoughts?? Choco and the chance of losing Buckley to another AFL team long term or do we go with Bucks? MM?

P.s. the bloke who came up with FIGJAM is a tool..

 

[1970]

Good to read about your reaction to the book. It is a great read on many levels. I concur wholeheartedly.

 

[Thommo 42]

I've had it sitting on the bookshelf since Christmas but haven't found time to get to it (reading other 'must reads') you have now inspired me to push it up the queue.

If you haven't read 'a dignified life' about Bob Rose - I'd suggest you also read that. I think the author was Strevens. Will deadset bring a tear to your eye for sure.

 

[smiddaz123]

I thought the same thing after I read it. He worked so hard to get to where he was.

If someone like Fevola worked as hard as Buckley did he'd be the best player in the AFL.

The beginning of the book was far more interesting than the end. The latter part was him recounting what we know happened. It was very interesting to hear about him early on.

Him describing himself as Dale Thomas like in build and as soft as they come shocked me.

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

Thanks for the tip, ill have a look at it when I'm through with this one..
I had the same reaction smiddaz, the work he put in to go from high-school benchwarmer to sanfl and afl megastar in a 2 year period shows the example he could be to players like Dale, Didak and such who have the talent to be elite. The strong, pack marking and early on key position games is something i'd almost forgotten as well as the golf buggies lol

 

[scruffydog]

I've had it sitting on the bookshelf since Christmas but haven't found time to get to it (reading other 'must reads') you have now inspired me to push it up the queue.

I read like 2 pages and haven't touched it since :\

I'm sure I'll get into it eventually.

 

[Snag Breac]

It's a wonderful book, and there's a theme of unfinished business running through it which bodes well for the future. Buckley will have at least one premiership before he dies.

 

[King Woodie]

The man is a dead set legend and the definition of what a club needs to achieve success. His is exactly the type of personality that breeds premierships

Two ironic comments given that he never achieved the success that he wanted.

But I have read it and I also couldn't put it down.

 

[Porkaspies09]

yeh im up to about chapter 5 and i cant put it down its an awesome read, i was really surprised about how he was when he was younger going about his footy and how hard his dad worked for him to come that far.
very good book

 

[The Dawes]

A cracking good read and refreshingly honest I thought.

Also it clearly demonstrates that we as supporters need to be more patient with players and the rate at which each develops.

Be nice to read an updated version in a decade or so, where Bucks reveals the story of how he coached the Pies to a couple of flags.

 

[Old Spice]

His brain is superb, he is ruthlessly honest, hard-working and open to insights from others. Gots to be the man with the plan for 2 thousand and...10.

 

[Crazy Tails]

Got the book for Christmas and loved it.

I wasn't aware of all the back room shenanigans that went on to get him to the Pies or about the 10 'untouchables list'.

I also didn't know about how close he came to ending up at North Melbourne until reading the book, geez we cut their lunch there. Just imagine they could have won another couple of flags in the late nineties with Buckley hitting Carey lace out on the tit!

Also we have the ex-Collingwood contingent at Port (Jack Cahill, Mark Williams and Bruce Abernathy) to thank for convincing Bucks that Collingwood was were he needed to be even after signing the secret deal with Nth. At least Bucks gave the cash back!

He really seemed to develop quite quickly as an elite footballer from about 18-21. I found it amazing that he could hardly get a game at Assumption Kilmore's school team as a short, skinny 16 y.o (playing with David Schwarz) and then only a few years later he was winning a Magarey and dominating the SANFL.

The comments of Graham Wright and subsequently 'Gubby' Allen really cracked me up too. Although I wanted to go back and have a crack at some of our players (Wright and Tony Francis) for the hard time they gave Bucks in his first and only game he played for the Bears against the Pies. Thought it was a pretty harsh way for our players to treat a bloke who was more than likely going to be a future team mate of theirs. IMO it really could have jeopardised Bucks wanting to come to the Pies. It would have been a bit awkward for Bucks to walk through the doors the next season to line up with the guys who had gotten into him the previous year.

I was also quite surprised at how frank he was with some of the stuff to do with his father as well. Gee his old man was a bit of a hard task master on him but in the end the tough love prob made Bucks the man he is today to strive to be the best he can.

I can also remember the period in the late 90s when there was all the conjecture about Bucks leaving Collingwood to go back to Port. Everyone (incl most Collingwood supporters at the time) thought that he was a mercenary and that because he left Brisbane that he would dump Collingwood (who were struggling at the time) to go back to Port. I remember standing in the outer as a youngster at Vic Park every time he got the ball some of the crowd cheered him (to try and show their support to get him to stay) and some booed him (thinking that he had already made up his mind to go back). It was nice to hear him say that he never really considered going back to Port and that he wanted to stay at Collingwood forever.

Well I ended up going on a bit there but I really loved the book and the insight it provided into the greatest Collingwood player I have seen play.

 

[Dylz48]

I thought the same thing after I read it. He worked so hard to get to where he was.

If someone like Fevola worked as hard as Buckley did he'd be the best player in the AFL.

The beginning of the book was far more interesting than the end. The latter part was him recounting what we know happened. It was very interesting to hear about him early on.

Him describing himself as Dale Thomas like in build and as soft as they come shocked me.

I loved it so much I think I rushed it a bit what page was that on

 

[half_back_flank]

Fantastic read, one of my favorite autobiographies along with James Hird's and Paul Kelly's. All player who weren't rated as top teenagers but rose to become champions.

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

The man is a dead set legend and the definition of what a club needs to achieve success. His is exactly the type of personality that breeds premierships

Two ironic comments given that he never achieved the success that he wanted.

But I have read it and I also couldn't put it down.

I stand by that comment..
Bucks was exactly that person and more; the team just weren't good enough and there weren't enough people on the list with the same unwavering desire as him.

 

[rotten pie]

Loved the book. I got it for Christmas and read it in two days. Great book about a great man.

 

[King Woodie]

The man is a dead set legend and the definition of what a club needs to achieve success. His is exactly the type of personality that breeds premierships


I stand by that comment..
Bucks was exactly that person and more; the team just weren't good enough and there weren't enough people on the list with the same unwavering desire as him.

Yeah, mate, I agree 100%. It is one of the game's greatest shames that someone as focused, professional, and talented as Bucks could never achieve the ultimate.

The second biggest shame is that each of the three other clubs he was linked to (by speculation or registration) all won flags - Brisbane (3), North Melbourne (2), and Port Power (1).

 

[Nesian]

Got this book at Christmas. It has been a great read and a great motivational tool. The way he worked so hard,even though he never got the ultimate prize as a player is just inspiring. I thought there were messages in his book that everyone could apply to all different aspects of their lives. I know I have certaintly walked away from this book and changed my attitude in a few areas.

One of the best books i have ever got!! Recommend to all, not just pie supporters.