Nathan Buckley’s ex opens up about ‘horrible’ split

The former girlfriend of AFL legend Nathan Buckley has opened up about their “horrible” split, admitting that it left her heartbroken.

Brodie Ryan has opened up about her split from Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley, admitting that she was left heartbroken.

“The first few months were hard, and breakups are always horrible,” she told the Herald Sun on Thursday.

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“Time heals all wounds. The heartbreak is real, but we’ll both be okay.”

The 36-year-old revealed she had intended to be a housewife, and was disappointed that the plans were no longer in effect.

Brodie Ryan has opened up on her split with Nathan Buckley. Picture: brodieryan/Instagram

Ryan revealed she had hopes of being a housewife. Picture: News Corp Australia

“I wanted that responsibility and revelled in that of being a housewife and a little family’s support, but unfortunately it didn’t end the way I’d hoped,” she said.

In April this year, Ryan said her goal for this year was to focus on herself, telling the Herald Sun, “Focusing on mental health and the stable lifestyle that I’m used to, and doing things that make me happy. That’s my plan for 2025 … to focus on me.”

The pair were together for 3 years. Picture: Supplied

The pair, who met in 2022 and have a 16-year age gap, have been an item since 2022. Ryan shared the news of their split in an Instagram story in May this year.

“After much reflection and consideration, Nath and I have decided to part ways,” she said. “This decision was not made lightly, and we are grateful for the time we shared, the memories we created, and the support we received from each other.”

In Ryan’s lengthy post, she also thanked supporters for their kind messages “over the past couple of months of heartache”, and said she will always have respect for Nathan and “a lot of love for him and his boys and our beautiful dog Tank”.

Ryan announced their split earlier this year. Picture: brodieryan/Instagram

“This decision was not made lightly”. Picture: brodieryan/Instagram

Buckley, 52, did not share the same message to his social media platforms.

AFL legend Buckley separated from his wife Tania Buckley, with whom he shares two children, in 2020 and in a candid interview a few years later referred to his marriage breakdown as “the most traumatic thing that’s happened to me recently”.

“Whilst it was a bloody tough period, I learnt a lot about being more open, being more vulnerable and that I actually couldn’t hold it all in,” he told the Herald Sun.

“At the same point, my footy family, and then close friends, just rose to the surface. I’d never really understood the absolute value of friendship until I had nowhere else to turn, and I needed them.”

Originally published as Nathan Buckley’s ex opens up about ‘horrible’ split