Nathan Buckley's coaching career and AFL player injuries/transfers
Consensus Summary
Nathan Buckley has ruled out pursuing vacant AFL head coaching roles at Essendon or Carlton after missing out on the Tasmania Devils job, which went to Ken Hinkley. Buckley, who coached Collingwood to the 2018 grand final, remains focused on his current role as Geelongâs assistant coach for the next six to 10 weeks, though he has not ruled out future opportunities. His decision follows a 'fork in the road' moment, as he had prepared to leave Geelong to pursue the Tasmania position. Meanwhile, AFL player Harry McKay, the 2021 Coleman medallist, is sidelined for two weeks due to a minor meniscus tear and bone bruising, sparking debate about pain management in the league. Bobby Hill, a premiership forward, remains contracted to Collingwood until the end of 2030 but has not played a senior game since round 21 last year, with reports suggesting he may seek a move to Brisbane, Gold Coast, or Port Adelaide. Essendonâs Nate Caddy recovered from an irregular heart rate incident, while Xavier Duursmaâs hamstring injury ended his season. Carlton, after seven-straight wins, has struggled recently, and Essendon broke a 31-game winless streak in Victoria with a narrow victory.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Nathan Buckley ruled out bidding for Essendon or Carlton head coaching roles after missing out on Tasmania Devils job
- Buckley is focused on the next six to 10 weeks with Geelong as assistant coach
- Buckley said he determined about 12 months ago he wanted to be an AFL head coach again
- Buckley coached Collingwood to the 2018 grand final
- Harry McKay (2021 Coleman medallist) missed two weeks due to a minor meniscus tear and bone bruising
- Bobby Hill is contracted until the end of 2030 on a deal worth about $750,000 a season
- Hill has not played a senior game since round 21 last year
- Hill played three VFL games since his last senior appearance
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Buckley said he was 'all in' on the Tasmania job and 'kicked the dog, threw the toys out of the cot' after missing out
- Buckley described the Tasmania decision as a 'fork in road' and said he was 'deliberate' in returning to Geelong to prepare for the role
- Buckley has an option to remain at Geelong next year, which is his most likely outcome
- Buckley texted Tasmania CEO Brendan Gale 'Iâm disappointed, but thanks for letting me know' after missing out
- Buckley said he would 'come back around and touch base in time' with Tasmania for feedback
- David King (Carlton commentator) said McKay's injury was a 'pain management issue' and compared it to 'old Denis Paganism' (players going off too easily)
- King said McKay's absence 'changes the whole game' and the discussion will 'rage'
- 34 per cent of AFL players felt disrespect from broadcast media in the AFLPA report
- Carlton lost their past two games after seven-straight wins under caretaker coach Josh Fraser
- Nate Caddy (Essendon) was hospitalised with an irregular heart rate but cleared to play
- Xavier Duursma (Essendon) ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury
- Essendon won their first game since May last year, ending a 31-game winless streak in Victoria
- Dean Solomon (Essendon caretaker coach) replaced Brad Scott in May
- Bobby Hill's management (Macâs Sports Promotions) is in talks with Collingwood about a potential move to Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast, or Port Adelaide
- Hill was drafted by Greater Western Sydney with pick No.24 in 2018 and has played 102 senior games
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC does not mention Harry McKayâs injury or David Kingâs commentary, while THEAGE details McKayâs two-week absence and Kingâs controversial remarks
- THEAGE states McKayâs injury was a '15-20 minute' issue (per Kingâs analogy), but does not clarify if this aligns with medical assessments
- THEAGE notes Carlton lost their past two games after seven-straight wins, but ABC does not mention Carltonâs recent form or McKayâs injury
Source Articles
Buckley opts out of Dons, Blues coaching races after Tasmania snub
Nathan Buckley still harbours ambitions of coaching a second AFL team despite being overlooked for the Tasmania job.
Buckley at a âfork in the roadâ after Tasmaniaâs coach call on Hinkley
Carlton have called a prominent AFL commentator to discuss his questioning of Harry McKay; Bobby Hill was a key player in Collingwoodâs 2023 premiership, but he and club are now working towards an exit despite having three years to run on his contract.