Nathan Buckley says he will not quit as Collingwood coach amid form struggles

Kieran Francis

Nathan Buckley says he will not quit as Collingwood coach amid form struggles image

Nathan Buckley says he still wants to coach Collingwood as the Magpies stare down the barrel of a tough season in his 10th campaign in charge of the club.

Buckley's position at the Holden Centre is currently under severe scrutiny with the club only managing to win one of their first six home-and-away matches - including ANZAC Day's 24-point defeat to arch rivals Essendon.

At his weekly press conference ahead of the Magpies' home match against Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, Buckley was repeatedly asked about his future at Collingwood and whether he wanted to continue as coach

The club legend responded by dismissing any thought he could resign from his position, explaining the love he has for the club he played 260 games for and won the 2003 Brownlow Medal.

However, Buckley wouldn't guarantee that he would remain coach of the Collingwood in the long term - with his contract at the glamour club set to expire at the end of the campaign.

"Do I want to continue? Yes. Do I want to coach? Yes," Buckley said.

"We’ll have that conversation in the back half of the year. The only thing that matters is what’s the best thing for the club. There's plenty of water to go under the bridge for the best course of action.

"I really enjoy and am passionate about this club. I love this club.

"I’ve been a senior coach for ten years. I’ve had hard days and good days. My drive comes from seeing young men make their opportunities. I feel very fortunate to be able to do that and it gives me great energy to do that."

Collingwood has played finals every season since missing out between 2014-17, with the club falling just short in the 2018 Grand Final against West Coast.

Buckley suggested the club was entering a forced rebuild period because of the status of their list - having traded out players such as Adam Treloar, Jaidyn Stephenson and Tom Phillips at the end of last season.

"It’s not going to change in one session and it’s a bit of an outlier for us," he said. "We’re still finding a way to be better with the new young players we’ve brought it.

"There’s a bit of ownership on the players to make the right decision at the right time.

"We’ll give a taste and opportunity to our young players when it’s the right time for them and us.

"If I had a two year contract right now I wouldn’t be doing anything different to what I am doing day to day. Our list profile is forcing our hand in many ways, which we knew we were going to be in.

"We’ve had some injuries to first choice players in recent weeks that’s giving the young crop an opportunity.

"The players aren’t lifting their eyes beyond the next opportunity. As a player you're laser focused on the next opportunity."

In selection news, Buckley confirmed that concussed forward Jordan De Goey would return after a week on the sidelines, while Mark Keane would come straight back into the team after suspension.

Young forward Ollie Henry is unlikely to be considered despite kicking multiple goals in Collingwood's first two VFL matches.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.