Coach Buckley steps down

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As much as I've argued the case against Buckley being re-signed even I could possibly see a way forward for Buckley if he could get us playing better football over the last 10 rounds and snare 5 wins. As I posted over at Nick's last night we should see ourselves as a realistic chance in 6 of those 10 games.

Well fair to say I didn't see this announcement coming today and was hopeful Buckley would see out the season at the very least.

Only can only imagine he either sought to bring the decision over his coaching tenure to a head and decided to walk after receiving no assurances or was informed he wouldn't be re-contracted so doesn't feel like he can continue under those circumstances.

Whether you agree with the outcome or not at least we've got clean air now, a decisive decision has been made and we can get a jump start on finding a new coach should Carlton also be in the market.

Where this leaves Jeff Browne now is a great unknown as you feel Korda might well have just snookered him.

While it didn't turn out the way we all hoped Bucks we thank you for your 25 years of service to Collingwood and being a true legend of the football club.

All the best for your future endeavours.
 
Absolute legend of the club and game! I don’t think you will find a bloke more dedicated to try and get the most out of himself and his team. Loves this footy club and wanted what’s best for it. Was literally a kick or two away as a player and coach from the ultimate, a flag! He deserved it more than most. I wish him well in his future endeavours, no doubt he will be successful in what ever that may be.
 
Feel for Bucks. A great person and a great Collingwood person. As promising as we've looked in recent weeks this is a sad day for Collingwood.

I sense however it will take some of the sting out of the EGM push, so perhaps this is the clean air needed to maintain a strong and stable club.
 
Wait until they find out the new coach next year will pick some players that those posters don't like, will be seen to have 'favourites', and will mystifyingly refuse to completely bag themselves or the players in press conferences and instead will talk in platitudes about improving. They'll be furious.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to Cal Brown playing 23 of the possible 26 games in 2022, should be a hoot.
 

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I just received this email from the club:


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[TD valign="top"]Hi Brett,


With hearts heavy Nathan Buckley and Collingwood have agreed to part ways.

After almost 10 seasons and 217 matches in charge, Buckley will coach the team for the last time next Monday when Collingwood meets Melbourne at the SCG.

“Everything has it’s time and the club and I have reached ours,” Buckley said.

“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.”

Collingwood ceo Mark Anderson paid tribute to Buckley’s near three decades of service to Collingwood and especially his commitment to always place the interests of the club first.

“True greatness doesn’t depend on how long or how much or how many but on the legacy of those things. What they stand for. And to Collingwood people Nathan Buckley stands for just about everything they want the black and white striped jumper to represent,” Anderson said.

“This is a tough day for our club. While we can all see the wisdom in moving on, we know that he will be missed. He is a towering figure in the history of Collingwood.

“Our discussions were all based around what was good for the club and for Nathan, who reminded us all, regularly, that Collingwood had to come first. That is one of the many reasons why he will be forever Collingwood. On behalf of our club, I thank him.”

Collingwood GM of Football, Graham Wright, added his thanks.

“Nathan is a person of the highest quality, with great morals and values. In all of our discussions he was only ever interested in ‘the best thing for the football club’ and once we were both clear on that we had further discussions with Mark (Anderson) and the board to finalize how and when was the best time,” Wright said.

“On behalf of the entire club, I want to acknowledge and thank him for his selflessness and utter decency.”

After the match against Melbourne, Robert Harvey will succeed Buckley as interim senior coach for the remainder of the season.

A five person panel will have responsibility for the process of appointing a permanent successor. The panel will consist of Mark Anderson, Graham Wright, football director Paul Licuria and fellow board member Peter Murphy.

The fifth member, who is yet to be appointed, will be an experienced football person who has previously been involved in the selection of senior coaches.

Buckley’s contribution to Collingwood as a player and coach is one that few – and none in the modern era – have bettered.

He played 260 matches for the club, winning six Copeland Trophies, Brownlow and Norm Smith medals and seven All-Australian blazers. He captained the club for nine seasons.

There is no more decorated Collingwood playing career.

Buckley retired at the end the 2007 season and spent two seasons in the media before returning to the club as an assistant coach in preparation for his appointment as senior coach from 2012.

He led Collingwood through five finals campaigns and into the 2018 grand final. He won 116 of the 217 matches he coached, with a winning record of 54 per cent.

In all, Buckley played or coached in 477 matches for Collingwood.

There will be a press conference at 11am today where you can follow it live here. [/TD]
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Because even those who wanted him to step aside don’t hate him.
Respectfully disagree on this one. Some incredibly disrespectful posts in the other Buckley thread on Buckley the person.

I think the kudos goes to those that still supported Buckley (me included) - no melts.
 
it’s not liked he volunteered. Most coaches are well paid above and beyond the average person in society. He’s been a great servant at the club like all our champions. Every player / coach has contributed to the club - all of them should be recognised including Bucks.
He will absolutely be remembered for his contribution just like others before him. But If you cant see that he is a great ambassador for this mighty club and he has far more honourable traits than most before him then maybe you need to take off your blinkers. Don't underestimate how big a loss he will be.
 
Leppa stepped away from the AFL this season.

A very impressive man in his segment with Whattttteeellllyyyy on SEN. Would love to see him involved in our club next season.
And the sad but good irony if it was Leppa to take us to a flag. A man (Bucks) that in 2002/2003 led us toward a flag vs a man (Leppa) that was a part of stopping us both times. Just can’t get away from those Lions if so.
 
Current board obviously feel there's more votes in replacing Bucks than not - or think this move neutralises a potential advantage of Brownes push.

Rubbish. If the board have pushed this as a vote winning exercise rather than what is best for the Collingwood FC then they need to go.
 
This is an indirect result of us ****ing up the salary cap. We would have a winning record right now with Stephenson and Treloar, and Bucks would still be coming off GF -> Prelim -> Semi.

Some would argue it’s the right move regardless, but it saddens me.
 
I'm going to put my tool box out tonight in honour of Daisy.

Like many I am excited to see the outcome of this but also very sad to see Bucks go. From a coaching point of view I think he has strong pros and cons but I don't doubt him as a person.

One memory that gives me insight into Bucks the person comes from the 125th celebration at Victoria Park. I had a great day with my son and he got to meet a few legends like Peter McKenna etc........we were interviewed as part of a feature on the old footy jumpers (never aired due to the sad passing of Louie shortly after).

On our way back to the train station my son spotted Bucks out the corner of his eye driving out of the carpark and ran towards him with his autograph book. I quickly grabbed him and pulled him away so that Bucks could leave the carpark without any bother. Bucks saw my boy , wound down his window and waved my son over and signed his autograph book after probably enduring a whole day of similar attention.

Not many could've handled what he has over the journey.
 

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Coach Buckley steps down

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