| Nathan Buckley | ||
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nathan Buckley | |
| Date of Birth | July 26 1972 | |
| Place of Birth | Adelaide, Australia | |
| Recruited from | Port Adelaide Football Club (SANFL)/Brisbane Bears | |
| Draft | State Zoning Brisbane Bears |
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| Playing Career1 | ||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) |
| 1993 1994-2007 |
Brisbane Bears Collingwood |
20 (21) 260 (263) |
| ยน Statistics to end of 2007 season | ||
| Career highlights | ||
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AFL
SANFL
Collingwood
Brisbane
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Nathan Buckley (born July 26, 1972) is a former Australian rules football player and captain of the Collingwood Football Club.
Contents |
Early career
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.} 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 SANFL's 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 team would reach the finals, as Buckley thought. 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 has 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.[1] 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. They then won a nailbiting game against the West Coast Eagles and would become 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 5th, 2007, Buckley announced his retirement. [1]
Personal life
Buckley was involved in the AFL "Laws of the Game" or Rules Committee until he controversially resigned.[2] On New Years 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 have one child, Jett Charles, who was born on December 22 2006. Buckley now lives in a $4m house in Toorak with his wife, child and black pug, Big. [3].
Accomplishments
- 1st - 2003 (equal)
- 2nd - 1998
- 3rd - 1999 (equal)
- 5th - 1993 (equal), 2000 (equal)
- Norm Smith Medal 2002
- Rising Star Award 1993
- 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
- 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 1992 (Port Adelaide Magpies)
References
- AFL "Guide to Season 2005" p. 90-93, 736
External links
- Nathan Buckley's statistics from AFL Tables
- Nathan Buckley profile on the Official AFL Website of the Collingwood Football Club
- BuckleySurfers.com - Nathan Buckley Unofficial Fansite
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Gavin Brown |
Captain of Collingwood 1999 - 2007 |
Succeeded by 'Nick Maxwell' |
| Preceded by 'NA' |
Captain of Allies 1997 |
Succeeded by 'NA' |
| Preceded by 'NA' |
Captain of Australia 1998 |
Succeeded by 'NA' |
| Preceded by 'NA' |
All-Australian Vice-Captain 1999 - 2000 |
Succeeded by 'NA' |
| Preceded by 'NA' |
All-Australian Vice-Captain 2003 |
Succeeded by Warren Tredrea |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by Mark Naley |
Magarey Medallist 1992 |
Succeeded by Brenton Phillips |
| Preceded by Darel Hart |
Jack Oatey Medallist 1992 |
Succeeded by Steven Sziller |
| Preceded by none |
AFL Rising Star 1993 |
Succeeded by Chris Scott |
| Preceded by Mick McGuane |
Copeland Trophy winner 1994 |
Succeeded by Saverio Rocca |
| Preceded by Saverio Rocca |
Copeland Trophy winner 1996 |
Succeeded by Gavin Brown |
| Preceded by Matthew Richardson |
Alex Jesaulenko Medallist 1997 |
Succeeded by Shane Crawford |
| Preceded by Gavin Brown |
Copeland Trophy winner 1998 - 2000 |
Succeeded by Paul Licuria |
| Preceded by Shaun Hart |
Norm Smith Medallist 2002 |
Succeeded by Simon Black |
| Preceded by Simon Black |
Brownlow Medallist 2003 |
Succeeded by Chris Judd |
| Preceded by Paul Licuria |
Copeland Trophy winner 2003 |
Succeeded by James Clement |
