Bucks message to Roos, Tigers: let's talk
Jon Ralph | June 26, 2009
COLLINGWOOD legend Nathan Buckley returned to Australia yesterday and confirmed his interest in discussing with Richmond and North Melbourne their vacant coaching positions.
Buckley said last night he was keen to talk about the senior roles at both clubs, after spending 10 days on an AFL-funded study trip in the US.
The league's hottest coaching prospect declared that Richmond had "better young talent on exposed form" than North Melbourne.
But as North officially began its search for a new coach yesterday, Buckley also threw up the possibility of spending a season as an assistant.
While the former Magpies captain was coy on his prospects, the race for Buckley has become white hot.
"It is basically status quo apart from the fact that North Melbourne is looking for a coach next year," he said.
"They will go through a process that they allocate and I would like to have a chat to them and find out where they are situated . . . (and) with respect to assistant coaching roles down the track as well."
His reference to becoming an assistant in yesterday's interview with employer Channel 7 was cryptic, given the available senior jobs.
The Roos have made it known their priority is to secure Buckley as their head coach for next year.
While North would be unlikely to outlay $800,000 on a rookie coach such as Buckley, it is prepared to spend up to that figure for an experienced senior coach.
If Buckley was to spend a year as an assistant, it would again raise speculation about a succession plan for Mick Malthouse at Collingwood.
In a separate Adelaide radio interview yesterday, Buckley said he was prepared to talk to Richmond.
"I don't know what next year is going to look like for me," he said. "(Richmond and North Melbourne) are categorically the only two coaching roles currently available.
"If I am serious about looking at coaching next year or getting into an AFL club, I suppose I'd better have a look at them.
"I'm looking forward to having an opportunity to talk to both of those clubs when their processes are up and running. I need to find out some information to know where I sit."
While Buckley has also been linked to Port Adelaide, with which he played in the SANFL, it is believed Mark Williams' odds of a contract extension are shortening.
Reports from Adelaide have the Port board voting 6-2 in favour of keeping Williams.
Buckley dodged a question about his interest in Port. "They are my old club . . . but I played for Brisbane as well," he said.
Buckley was keen yesterday to emphasise he was not yet sold on launching his senior coaching career immediately.
"As I have said all along, there will be assistant coaching roles as well," he said.
"I need to have to look at what opportunities are there and then clubs will have to look at me and then I will have to look at the strength and weaknesses and what is the best fit."
North has already sounded out the availability of a range of potential coaches, including Buckley and Sydney assistant and former North star John Longmire.
Chief executive Eugene Arocca and football manager Donald McDonald are formulating an appropriate process to find a new coach, according to the club.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25691305-19742,00.html
