Nathan Charles Buckley, (born July 26, 1972) is a former Australian rules football player, who played primarily as a midfielder, for the Brisbane Bears and more notably the Collingwood Football Club, where he was captain for a record amount of games and won the highly prestigious Brownlow Medal. He retired from the game on October 5, 2007 after recurring hamstring injuries plagued his final playing years and is currently a media celebrity.
Nathan Buckley was born in or near Adelaide, South Australia on July 26, 1972 His family travelled around Australia quite frequently, and by the age of 12, Buckley had been to all major states on the Australian mainland. However, he spent the majority of his football developing years (aged around 10-17) in the Northern Territory, and thus has occasionally been regarded as a Territorian (he also played at the Ainslie Football Club in Canberra for a season). Under the (now defunct) State of Origin competition he was considered of North Territory origin and selected for The Allies team, an amalgamation of players from Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
Buckley's footballing talents were noticed from an early age. He joined Port Adelaide and won the Magarey Medal (the SANFLs highest individual award) in 1992.
Brisbane Bears
In early 1992 the struggling Brisbane Bears drafted him for the 1992 AFL season through its Northern Territory state zone. Buckley challenged the AFL draft system and sparked controversy by initially resisting a move to Brisbane. Having barracked for the Melbourne Football Club from a young age, his ultimate ambition was to play in Victoria, and he felt the Bears were an undesirable career option. However AFL draft rules prevented him from playing with another AFL club and so remained in the SANFL.
He signed with the Bears for the 1993 season only as part of a deal between Buckley and the Bears that allowed him to go to the club of his choice the following season. Brisbane hoped his time in "the Sunshine State"would be long enough to change his mind. He immediately demonstrated his potential, playing 20 games, kicking 21 goals and impressing with his general play. He was the inaugural winner of the Norwich Rising Star Award and finished a close second in the Bears' best-and-fairest award.
Collingwood
During his first season Buckley's arrangement with the Bears became common knowledge. At the end of the contract he attracted strong interest from all Melbourne-based clubs, chiefly Collingwood, Geelong and North Melbourne. However it was Collingwood that successfully arranged a trade deal acceptable to all parties. The move saw Buckley move to the Magpies in exchange for Craig Starcevich, Troy Lehmann and the Magpies' first-round draft pick (no. 12, future double-premiership player Chris Scott.
Buckley was adamant that the move was the right career direction, with the belief he had more chance of winning a premiership with the Magpies. Ironically, Brisbane would beat Collingwood in two consecutive AFL Grand Finals in 2002 and 2003. In his first season with Collingwood, the Magpies were eliminated by the West Coast Eagles by 2 points in Perth.
From here, Buckley would be a consistent performer for Collingwood. As well as winning a Brownlow Medal in 2003, he finished in the top 3 twice before the turn of the century. He was also named Collingwood's Best & Fairest 6 times in 10 years (including one tied) as well as 6 consecutive years in the All-Australian Team from 1996 to 2001.
In 1999, Buckley suffered a serious jaw injury playing against Carlton in Round 2. He would miss 6 games and return in Round 9 to help Collingwood to their first win of the season and their first in 13 matches. Collingwood finished last this season, only the second time in their history.Buckley also competed in the last game at Victoria Park.
Collingwood captain
In 1999, then-Collingwood captain Gavin Brown retired from AFL football. Buckley was the obvious first choice to replace him as captain. Throughout the late 1990s/early 2000s Collingwood had several major changes in personnel. Eddie McGuire became president of club in 1998 and Mick Malthouse was appointed coach in 2000.Collingwood finishing 15th in 2000 and 9th in 2001, with Buckley starring in both seasons.
In 2002 that Collingwood made the AFL Grand Final for the first time in Buckley's career. On Grand Final day at the MCG Buckley starred in a losing team, winning the Norm Smith Medal. This award is sometimes debated though as the judges for the medal have to submit votes 15 minutes before the end of game. Some judges said Michael Voss's last 15 minutes of the game won Brisbane the game. Famously, Buckley removed the Norm Smith Medal from around his neck shortly after it was presented to him, a symbol of his extreme disappointment and overriding dedication to the team effort. Brisbane defeated Collingwood by 9 points and Buckley became the first losing Norm Smith medalist since Gary Ablett in 1989.
In 2003, Buckley received his highest honor, the Brownlow Medal in a three-way tie with fellow South Australian born players Mark Ricciuto(Adelaide) and Adam Goodes (Sydney). The following Saturday Buckley played in his second losing Grand Final. Brisbane demolished Collingwood from start to finish, although Buckley still managed to gain 24 disposals.
After perhaps the best season of his stellar career in 2003, the Magpie skipper endured a 2004 and 2005 season he would rather forget. He started the season in usual domineering fashion in the opening three rounds, but missed seven of the next eight matches with hamstring problems. When he returned, he appeared to play under duress, spending more time across half-forward or half-back. Buckley was honoured with life membership of the Collingwood Football Club in 2004.
2006 season
During the 2006 season, Buckley was awarded AFL Life Membership after playing his 300th official match since his debut in 1992, comprising 267 premiership games, 24 preseason games, four state of origin games and four international rules games.
Buckley was rested twice during the season, once for the match against West Coast at Subiaco in Round 7, and again in the Round 21 clash against Carlton. At the end of the 2006 season Buckley indicated the possibility of him standing down as captain of the club, saying that James Clement might be a likely choice for the position. Clement later said he did not wish to become captain. Collingwood President Eddie McGuire played down any rumours of Buckley standing aside.
2007 season
Following serious hamstring problems, Buckley played his first game of 2007 playing for the Williamstown Seagulls in the VFL on August 18, 2007. He was judged best on ground, gathering 29 possessions and kicking four goals.
He returned to the Collingwood side the following week and helped Collingwood to a 25 point win over Sydney, in a vital game for Collingwood's finals' hopes after losing to Adelaide in Round 22, Collingwood would again beat Sydney. The Magpies then won a nailbiter against West Coast, a match which was forced into extra time, becoming the first side in 6 years to make it to Preliminary Final from outside the top four, and the sudden death of Len Thompson only days prior to the Preliminary final gave Collingwood extra motivation. However, Collingwood would lose to Geelong by five points. Three weeks later, on October 5, 2007, Buckley announced his retirement. Buckley, and fellow retirees James Clement and Paul Licuria were farewelled that evening at the 2007 Copeland Trophy Dinner. It was an emotional farewell for three true greats of the famous club, each having won at least two Copeland Trophies, and will forever be remembered as three of the club's finest servants, in particular throughout the club's well documented 2002 and 2003 campaigns, which saw the side defeated in successive years by Brisbane on Grand Final.
Notable matches
Collingwood V Fremantle Round 15, 1997, at Victoria Park: In his 100th senior match, Buckley floored the Dockers with 43 possessions, many of which fed full forward Sav Rocca, who booted nine of his own, snapping the club's seven match losing streak, a 10-goal final term ensuring a 100 point victory on the Magpies home ground, Victoria Park.
Collingwood v Fremantle Round 8, 1999, at the MCG Collingwood were yet to win a match all season, and to make matters worse, Buckley was sidelined between rounds three and seven due to a broken jaw, suffered in a clash with Carlton's Justin Murphy on Easter Monday in round two. Upon return, Buckley dominated against the Dockers with three goals and 26 disposals, ensuring he was awarded the three Brownlow votes on a wet afternoon at the MCG
Collingwood v Adelaide Round 2, 2000, at the MCG Having flogged Hawthorn by 54 points in their first premiership game under new coach Mick Malthouse, the Magpies were locked in a war of attrition with Adelaide at the MCG on a muddy Sunday afternoon. Buckley snared another three Brownlow votes with 31-disposals and three more goals. With Paul Williams and Sav Rocca booting five each, the Pies accounted for the Crows by eleven points.
Collingwood v Fremantle Round 2, 2001, at Colonial Stadium In one of the most dominant performances in the history of the Australian game, Buckley collected a whopping 46 possessions and booted two goals, as the Magpies accounted for the lowly Dockers to the tune of 17 points at Colonial Stadium, their first victory of the season.
Collingwood v Adelaide Round 13, 2001, at Football Park With two goals and 37 touches of the Sherrin, it's fair to say that Buckley suffered from leather poisoning, the captain piloting his side's two point cliffhanger against the Crows in foreign territory. This would be the first of 5 straight wins against Adelaide.
Collingwood v Brisbane, Grand Final 2002, at the MCG The 2002 AFL Grand Final will go down as perhaps Nathan Buckley's finest performance in the Collingwood jumper. On a sodden MCG, Buckley - and his Magpies - were superb, pushing the all-conquering Lions to the absolute limit, going down late in the last quarter by a mere nine points. The captain was magnificent, gathering 32-disposals, and booting a vital third term goal from the boundary line to give his side the lead. It was Buckley at his best, as was agreed upon by the experts, who adjudged Buckley the Norm Smith Medallist of 2002.
Collingwood v Essendon, Round 5 2003, at the MCG Despite Collingwood putting in one of its most lacklustre performances for the season, Buckley refused to yield, winning 37 possessions, laying four tackles, and booting a goal from long range in the second term.
Rounds 13-17 2003 In the mid-season encounters with the Western Bulldogs, the Kangaroos, Fremantle, Richmond and Carlton, Buckley hit the longest and strongest purple patch of his illustrious career. With Collingwood faltering in the middle of the ladder, with six wins and six losses after the halfway mark of the season, Buckley kicked up a gear, taking his team with him. Winning 10 Brownlow votes over the five-week stretch, Buckley's brilliance was on display for all to see, setting up a number of attacks on-ball, ably supported by the excellent form of Scott Burns, Paul Licuria and Shane Woewodin.
Collingwood v Brisbane, Round 10 2006 With his hamstrings failing him, Buckley was thrown into attack in the latter stages of 2005, and by the midway point of the following year he had adapted into the role of the match winning forward, with the ability to still take a stint in the engine room. On this cool Saturday evening under the MCG lights, Buckley's career-best six goals (and 29-possessions) arguably won the match for the Magpies; their first win over Brisbane since the 2003 Qualifying Final.
Personal life
Buckley was involved in the AFL "Laws of the Game" or Rules Committee until he controversially resigned.
On New Year's Eve 2002 Buckley married Tania Minnici. She is known for wearing revealing outfits to the Brownlow Medal, most notably a gown with a visible diamante g-string in 2001. The couple has one child, Jett Charles, who was born on December 22, 2006. They are expecting their second child in September 2008.
Buckley now lives in a $4m house in Toorak with his wife, child and black pug, Big.
Media Celebrity
Buckley has made several appearances on the AFL Footy Show as a panellist.
He was the central character in an advertising campaign by wireless broadband provider Unwired.
Buckley signed as a commentator with Channel Seven for season 2008, and has signalled his intentions to coach senior football in the future, with an eye to once again returning to Collingwood.
He made an appearance as a celebrity racer at the 2008 Australian Grand Prixin Melbourne.
Accomplishments
Brownlow Medal
1st - 2003 (3 way tie)
2nd - 1997
3rd - 1999 (equal)
5th - 1996 (equal), 2000 (equal)
Australian Football League
Norm Smith Medal 2002
Rising Star Award 1993
Collingwood Football Club
Best & Fairest 1994 (equal), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003
RT Rush Trophy 1997
JJ Joyce Trophy 2001
Collingwood Team Of The Century
Club captain 1999-2007
Brisbane Bears Football Club
2nd Best & Fairest 1993
Representative Honours
All-Australian Team 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001
All-Australian Team vice-captain 1999, 2000, 2003
International Rules Series 1998 (captain)
Alex Jesaulenko Medal 1997
Allies captain 1997
South Australian National Football League
Magarey Medal 1992
Jack Oatey Medal (Grand Final B.O.G.) 1992
Port Adelaide Magpies best & fairest 1992
Premierships
SANFL Port Adelaide 1992
JOCK McHale, 38 years coach of Collingwood, once said that Bob Rose was the greatest Magpie player he had seen. Rose, on his death bed in 2003, told Collingwood president Eddie McGuire that Nathan Buckley was the greatest. McGuire told this last night to a fully-subscribed, $175-a-head function at Crown Casino to pay tribute to Buckley's career. So was a century of Collingwood history, glory and ill-fated, reckoned up.
Tony Shaw, captain of the only Collingwood premiership side in the last half-century, a teammate of Buckley's for one year and later his coach, affirmed that Buckley was the best Collingwood player he had seen. Graeme Allan, who with former president Allan McAlister engineered Buckley's move to Collingwood in 1993, said that Kevin Rose, also a former president, had regarded his brother Bob as Collingwood's finest, but now concluded that Buckley was his equal. So was Buckley's place in the club and game solemnised (with apologies to Peter Daicos, whose name still prompted the second most affectionate round of applause last night).
These things matter at Collingwood. And they matter about Buckley, who until last night did not really get to say goodbye to the Magpies, nor they to him. Last night, 1350 did, and also St Kilda champion Robert Harvey, who insisted on being there to pass on his regards.
Buckley's father, Ray, told of how he knew from watching his son play reserves for Port Adelaide one day on the Adelaide Oval that he was destined. Robert Walls, who coached him for his only year at Brisbane, told of how the 20-year-old's dedication had inspired the teenagers who would found later the Lions' trio of premierships.
And McAlister told of how they had whisked Buckley away from Brisbane and from under North Melbourne's nose, fighting all the way to the Supreme Court. Buckley said that in writing a book about his career, he had learned about aspects of his transfer previously unknown to him. He had wanted only to play football.
Shaw told of how Buckley in his first year at Victoria Park had irritated him by kicking footballs in the changeroom in such a way as to make them bounce into the face of the ageing Shaw, face-down on the massage table. Scott Burns, long-time teammate and his successor as captain, told how Buckley's unprecedented drive for perfection had both annoyed and invigorated teammates.
What emerged was a picture of a man so single-mindedly consumed with the need to realise his gift and the club's promise that he duly became its greatest player. Old feats were new again as they were replayed on big screens, none more than a crunching tackle on Carlton's Scott Camporeale, and they again won standing ovations.
Always, said McGuire, the cry was "kick it to Bucks", as it had previously been "kick to Daicos", and before that "kick it to Rose". So Buckley became Collingwood's most decorated footballer, with at least one of everything except, fatefully, a premiership medallion. Ever Collingwood, forever Buckley.
In 2003 the Pies were stronger, smarter and better prepared as once again Bucks found himself leading his Pies out onto The G on that last Saturday in September. This time we were favourites, despite the absence of Pebbles due to a ridiculous suspension from an inocuous collision in the Prelim. The Pies fell into a deep hole and self destructed in a way that would be devasting for the club.
Nathan struggled through 2007 with mishap after mishap. He would jog from home to Lexus Centre every training day in an effort to get those bloody hammies right. It worked. He came back for five more games, three of which were nail biting finals. We will never forget the adulation expressed by Nathan caught on super-slow-mo when Collingwood toppled the reigning premiers at Subi in extra time after the game finished a draw in normal time. Thoughts immediately went back to 1990 when the Pies drew with West Coast thanks to a miraculous goal from Peter Daicos. It was not to be. The Pies threw everything at Geelong in the Prelim but fell just 5 points short. One straight kick from a Grand Final against a team that was massacred by Geelong by one point shy of 20 GOALS!
Goodbye Buckley and none was better
