Bucks party nearly over
NATHAN Buckley’s father has conceded Collingwood’s grand final coach was “lucky” to retain his job late last year but he couldn’t be happier about his son’s role in the Magpies’ extraordinary 2018 turnaround.
Ray Buckley feared the worst after the Magpies missed a fourth successive finals series last year, prompting a fullscale review of all levels of the club, including the under pressure and out-of-contract coach.
But he couldn’t be more proud of the way Buckley and his team have galvanised into a cohesive unit who care and play for each other, going from 13th last season to the premiership playoff within the space of 12 months.
“If you don’t get success, it is a hard game, and you get judged that way,” Ray Buckley said following Collingwood’s preliminary final win over Richmond on Friday night.
“So he was lucky that he was reappointed, and he has made the most of it since.”