‘Nath and I have decided to part ways’: Brodie Ryan and AFL great Nathan Buckley have split

Only months ago Nathan Buckley and Brodie Ryan were penning loved-up tributes online and enjoying family getaways, but it seems recent cracks in their romance proved too hard to repair.

Nathan Buckley and Brodie Ryan have separated. Picture: Ishani Buff

At the end of January Brodie Ryan declared that she dearly loved the Buckley clan.

They’d been on holiday in Fiji to celebrate the 55th wedding anniversary of Karen and Ray, the parents of partner, Nathan Buckley.

Buckley’s two sons Jett and Ayce were also in the happy picture she posted to social media.

Just a month prior Buckley had posted a loving tribute to Ryan on her 35th birthday as they took a caravan holiday up the coast.

“Happy birthday to this gorgeous woman,’’ he wrote.

“You can glam up one day and then dag down the next. Love that, Love you. Have a cracking day beautiful.”

Ryan says there has been months of heartache. Picture: Mike Tarr

Just a few months on from those touching moments the couple has called it quits.

The news on Tuesday came as a shock to many but there had been talk for weeks of the split in footy circles.

Ryan recently posted some unusual pictures to social media, showing her holidaying solo and tellingly in a high-rise apartment when they had been living together bayside with their dog Tank.

When asked at a recent photo shoot if she and Buckley were still together Ryan put on a brave face and said life was great and she was focusing on herself in 2025.

Her heartfelt social media post announcing that the Brodes and Bucks journey had reached its conclusion was followed by a fond farewell post to Elwood.

Ryan says she is grateful for people’s kindness and consideration. Picture: Michael Klein

Ryan, a country girl at heart who spent time working on a farm between Ouyen and Mildura, moved to Melbourne nine years ago and instantly fell in love with the city.

She said she and Buckley connected over their similar upbringings and inspired each other each day.

A budding influencer, she won’t be lost to the social scene.

Buckley, whose previous one year relationship with cosmetic nurse Alex Pike ended in January 2022, believes these matters are private despite the footy great’s high profile.

Now the public knows, they can both move on.

Nathan Buckley and Brodie Ryan split

Footy great Nathan Buckley and partner Brodie Ryan have announced their separation.

After going public three years ago, the couple has called it quits with Ryan posting a statement to her Instagram story, starting with: “To the followers of the ‘Brodes and Bucks’ journey”.

“Thank you for your kind messages and support over the past couple of months of heartache. I am truely (sic) grateful for your kindness and consideration.

“After much reflection and consideration, Nath and I have decided to part ways.

Ryan wrote: ‘Nath and I have decided to part ways’. Picture: Getty

“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 and all of you. While we will no longer be a couple, I will always respect Nathan and the friendship that developed between us 3-4 years ago and have a lot of love for him and his boys and our beautiful dog Tank.”

Speculation has mounted in recent weeks that the pair had gone their separate ways.

Buckley, 52, said it was a private matter when contacted by the Herald Sun.

Ryan shared the announcement on Instagram.

Buckley and Ryan at the Glamour on the Grid. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ryan wrote: ‘I will always respect Nathan and the friendship that developed between us’.

Ryan, 35, has transitioned into the security industry after taking a break to travel, continued: “We appreciate your understanding and kindness over the past couple of months and continuing through this transition period. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate this new chapter in our lives. Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of our journey. With respect and gratitude, Brodie xo.”

In 2020 Buckley split from wife Tania, with whom he shares two sons, after 18 years of marriage.

As part of the divorce settlement he was forced to sell much of his cherished AFL memorabilia.

Buckley, who played 280 games for Collingwood and Brisbane and is one of the game’s most decorated players, went on to coach the Magpies for 10 years. He is now one of footy’s most respected commentators with Fox Footy.

Originally published as ‘Nath and I have decided to part ways’: Brodie Ryan and AFL great Nathan Buckley have split