Nathan Buckley has lifted the lid on why he wasn’t appointed Melbourne’s new coach, despite being widely tipped for the role.
Speaking on Friday night, the Collingwood legend explained that the Demons’ timeline clashed with his own discussions with Tasmania, leaving him unable to commit.
Melbourne ultimately chose Steven King, the former Geelong captain and premiership player, after being impressed during interviews. Buckley, meanwhile, remains the hot favourite to lead Tasmania into the AFL as their inaugural coach.
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Buckley said he was upfront with Melbourne throughout the process. “I was asked that question and I said, ‘I am meeting with Tasmania on Tuesday’,” he revealed. “(I said) I need a little bit more of an insight into that process and their timeline before I was able to make a final call on whether I was willing to step into the Melbourne role.”
Reflecting on the rapid pace of the Demons’ decision, he added: “If you look at the (Melbourne) process, it happened really quickly from Monday morning; too quickly for me. (But) Melbourne feel they have got their man and that’s all that really matters for them.”
The 2003 Brownlow medallist, who guided Collingwood to the 2018 grand final, last coached in 2021 and holds a record of 117 wins, 99 losses and two draws. Tasmania, due to enter the AFL in 2028, will field VFL and VFLW teams next year, and Buckley is almost certain to be offered the position.
