BUCKLEY STARTS CLAIMING PRIZES EARLY

COLLINGWOOD grand final coach Nathan Buckley has capped off an extraordinary turnaround after last night being named the AFL Coaches Association’s Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year – only a year after he faced the sack. Buckley, 46, was under intense pressure last year after missing a fourth successive finals series, a result that brought about an internal review of not only his position at the club, but also a host of other key club positions. Buckley edged out his grand final opponent, West Coast’s Adam Simpson, with 344 votes to 271, while Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was third (82).