‘More attracted to the Tasmanian job’: Buckley moves on from Melbourne’s selection process

Nathan Buckley says he’s more enticed by coaching an AFL start-up team in Tasmania compared to taking the reins at Melbourne, days after the former Collingwood star said the Demons’ selection process was too quick for him.

The 2018 grand final coach will meet with key Tasmanian figures including chief executive Brendan Gale on Tuesday as the Devils hunt for their inaugural coach.

Melbourne unveiled their new senior coach, Steven King, on Monday – three days after their shock announcement that the experienced assistant coach had landed the role ahead of four other candidates including Collingwood great Buckley.

“I had to risk sacrificing an opportunity to coach Melbourne to keep an opportunity to coach Tasmania,” Buckley said on Monday night.

“The timelines just didn’t match up. And Melbourne rightfully made the decision on a coach [who] absolutely was all in and wanted to do the job, and that was Steven King.

“They’ve made very much the right call.

“I was more attracted to the Tasmanian job than I am, than I was to the Melbourne job.”

On Friday night, after the Demons had revealed the coach to replace premiership coach Simon Goodwin, Buckley confirmed his imminent meeting with Tasmania. The former Collingwood coach congratulated Melbourne on their decision, but said their selection process went “too quickly for me”.

Buckley had informed the Demons that he would be meeting with Tasmania and needed “until Wednesday morning” to get back to them.

He elaborated on Fox Footy on Monday night.

“In the end I said, ‘Can I have a couple more days?’ ” Buckley said. “That was enough for them to say ‘Nah, nah, we’ve got our guy. We’re not going to wait’.

“And I’m fine with that.”

Pressed on whether Melbourne’s approach had caught him off guard, Buckley said: “I put myself in Melbourne shoes and you go, you’ve come down to two guys – one who says he’s absolutely keen, ‘You’re going to tell me I’ve got the job. I’m in. When do we start?’

“And the other says, ‘Can you just wait another three days or so?’

“I think it’s a really easy decision for Melbourne [to choose the first option].”

It was put to Buckley that Melbourne’s method seemed rushed. “It’s a moot point now,” Buckley replied.

Buckley said that grabbing the reins in Tasmania had significant appeal for him.

“Behind the scenes, I’ve a had a few chats with Brendon along the time ... and [have] been involved in the program, or the process for a couple of years,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to build something from scratch. It’s not something that comes around that often.

“And prosecuting [weighing up] the Melbourne case and where I sit in my coaching career [I’ve concluded] I do want to coach again, and I haven’t really been able to say that until probably about a month ago.

“I’d love to be involved in the Tassie process, and that journey. I’ll have a chat with them tomorrow and see if that’s involved in a more official capacity.”
- Scott Spits

Potent Magpie Bobby Hill unlikely for Saturday’s prelim showdown

Jake Niall

Collingwood are unlikely to risk Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill in Saturday’s epic preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions.

The Magpies have not placed a ceiling on Hill, continuing to leave it open for him return, but five days from the preliminary final, sources familiar with the Hill situation, speaking confidentially, felt that he was less than likely to be picked for a preliminary final pitting the past two premiers.

Conversely, veteran defender Jeremy Howe is likely to be selected for the clash, in which the Magpies will field a significantly different side to the one that the Lions beat decisively by 27 points in round 21 at the MCG.

Hill has lost conditioning during his periodic absences from training in the second half of the season, and while he has returned to training, coach Craig McRae, his match committee and conditioning boss Jarrod Wade have to weigh up whether the dynamic Hill is ready to play for the duration of an intense final against a formidable opponent.

If Hill misses this Saturday, it is still open for the Magpies to select him for the grand final should they overcome the Lions.

Former Carlton and Adelaide star Eddie Betts has been accompanying Hill at recent training sessions.

The Magpies have to consider who makes way for Howe, who has overcome an adductor strain he sustained in the final home-and-away game against Melbourne.

Mason Cox appears to have performed his role well enough to hold his position. Cox was recalled to both support Darcy Cameron in the ruck and provide an aerial contest and create ground balls in Collingwood’s scoring territory, even if he fails to mark.

Dan McStay is another option to play forward for the Magpies, whose key forward Brody Mihocek was sore during the qualifying final against Adelaide, and wore a moon boot afterwards. McStay would come in if Mihocek did not come up or in the less likely event that they drop Cox or Tim Membrey.

Defender Wil Parker, who performed creditably against the Crows, would be the logical omission from the 22 to make way for Howe, whose leadership and direction is as valued as his marks, spoils and disposals. Roan Steele, as substitute for the Crows final, is also a potential omission, subject to what Collingwood want from their sub.

Collingwood did not have quick small forward Beau McCreery, tall defender Billy Frampton, Howe or Cox in the round 21 game against the Lions. But the biggest “addition” to that defeated team is the significant improvement in Jordan De Goey’s fitness and form.

De Goey, who has dramatically found form and fitness over the past two games after a season battling injury, said on Monday that it would be a tough decision on whether to pick Hill this weekend.

“I’m not part of coaching staff, but we’re just supporting Bobby day by day. He trained really well the other day, so it’s gonna be a tough decision and up to the coaches, but you know, at the end of the day, we’re just going to support him and make sure he’s at his best,” De Goey said.

Asked about the difficulty Hill faced in overcoming a lengthy lay-off, De Goey said: “Obviously super tough, but that’s why you have, you know, we’ve got the medical team and ... physical (conditioning) team for that sort of thing, so they’ll decide when he’s ready to rock and roll.

“And all Bobby can do is focus on his training and get right for the rest of the team.”

The Lions won’t have champion midfielder Lachie Neale (calf strain) for Saturday, but have performed well without the dual Brownlow medallist lately, as Will Ashcroft in particular, has flourished when Neale has missed and Hugh McCluggage’s brilliance and Josh Dunkley’s grit and defensive work has ensured their midfield remains potent, as they were against the Suns last Saturday night.

State of Origin is back, but one footy state has been snubbed

Hannah Kennelly

State of Origin football will return to the AFL calendar for the first time in 27 years.

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon confirmed on Monday that Western Australia would play Victoria in Perth at Optus Stadium on February 14 next year – the first State of Origin clash since 1999.

“State football is one of the great traditions of our game, with fans and players alike calling for its return for some time and we are thrilled to see it back,” Dillon said.

“Origin inspires passion, state pride and draws upon years-old rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our very greatest players.”

Originating in 1977, games between Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia were regular features on the VFL/AFL calendar, but they were scrapped due to declining popularity.

While there have been top-level representative games since 1999 – a Hall of Fame tribute match in 2008 and a bushfire relief fundraiser in 2020 – those games involved Victoria taking on a team made up of players from other states. AFLW also held a Victoria v Allies game in 2017.

There was also an Indigenous All Stars team that played Fremantle in Perth earlier this year.

South Australian football great Graham Cornes said he was glad to see the return of State of Origin, but he lamented the exclusion of South Australia.

“Obviously, the most passionate State of Origin encounters, the most exciting ones were between SA and Victoria,” he said. “I just think it’s going to be really hard to recapture the passion and the quality of those games.”

He was also unsure of the event’s calendar placement during the pre-season and said a mid-season State of Origin might be more effective.

The announcement potentially opens the door for an AFLW State of Origin event as more players call for representative football opportunities.

Ahead of the league’s milestone 10th season, Dillon said the AFLW would have “some form” of representative football next season.

Dillon said it could take different forms, whether an All-Star game, State of Origin clash or an Australia v Ireland international rules match.

“It’s important for us to give our best players the chance to play together,” Dillon told Fox Footy.

“We have to work through with our players and the clubs, but you will absolutely see representative footy in some form next year.”

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