Collingwood’s star coach and player Nathan Buckley is newly single – and there could be a new job on the horizon as well.
The 52-year-old has been heavily linked to the Tasmania Devils’ senior coaching job ahead of the expansion club’s 2028 debut.
After months of whispers, Buckley confirmed this week that he had held multiple meetings with Devils CEO Brendon Gale.
‘There’s a chance,’ Buckley said on SEN’s Whateley.
‘We met a couple of times last year, first at Brendon’s request, and then I followed up.’
Buckley said he was taking the talks slowly, exploring the new club’s slow-build strategy and also helping out with advice.
Former AFL player and coach Nathan Buckley is currently working in the media, but admits he has spoken with new club Tasmania
It comes after Buckley’s high-profile break-up with his partner of three years, Brodie Ryan (pictured together)
Buckley admitted the fire still burned to coach in the AFL after previously steering Collingwood to a grand final
He praised the club’s approach to list management and academies, adding that coaching would come later.
‘I’ve put forward a couple of names I thought would be great down there,’ he said.
‘They’ve done a really good job so far.’
Buckley, who currently works with Fox Footy and SEN, admitted the ‘coaching bug’ is still alive.
But he’s weighing the very different demands of rebuilding a club from scratch.
‘That challenge is so different to what I’ve experienced,’ he said.
‘It’s about building something for the next generation. That appeals to me.’
The major stumbling point will be Buckley’s desire to win a premiership and Tasmania’s ability to do that in its formative years
Buckley played in grand final and won the Brownlow Medal but never claimed a premiership as a player or a coach
Buckley learned his craft from one of the best in the game, former Magpies coach Mick Malthouse
Buckley was famously close to a premiership both as a player and a coach.
He won the Norm Smith Medal in 2002 despite a grand final loss to Brisbane, and watched helplessly as a late Dom Sheed goal snatched the 2018 flag from his Magpies.
‘If you go back into coaching, you want to win a flag,’ Buckley said.
‘But you also have to be realistic about what that looks like in the first five years.’
The coaching talks come as Buckley processes heartbreak in his personal life.
His partner of several years, Brodie Ryan, announced their split earlier this month on Instagram.
‘After much reflection and consideration, Nath and I have decided to part ways,’ she wrote.
‘Thank you for your kind messages and support over the past couple of months of heartache.’
Buckley’s recent breakup would make things easier if he was to move to Tasmania, but a lot would need to happen before it became a reality
The announcement shocked followers, particularly as the couple had only recently returned from a family holiday in Fiji with Buckley’s relatives.
Ryan said the decision to separate was ‘not made lightly,’ adding she would ‘always respect Nathan’ and continue to love his sons and their dog, Tank.
Newly single Buckley also has a link to the Devils in former Collingwood colleague and list guru Derek Hine, who was appointed as the Devils’ Head of Recruiting.
Hine recently revealed he had exchanged texts with Buckley and said, ‘He’s a good man … I think coming into a program like Tasmania would be good for him.’
‘I got the feeling he was ready to jump back in. I’d love to work with Bucks again.’
Buckley has remained non-committal, saying the opportunity must align with his energy and purpose.
‘I’m still asking myself that question,’ he admitted.
‘[But] there’s a chance.’
