Buckley’s ex reckons being a WAG is ‘harder than being a CEO’

Just a few months after her break-up from the AFL legend, Nathan Buckley’s ex has angered with her insights on life as a WAG.

Brodie Ryan, the ex-girlfriend of AFL star Nathan Buckley, is copping backlash after claiming that being a WAG is “harder than being a CEO”.

The 36-year-old, who works as a business operations manager in Melbourne, dated the Collingwood legend for three years before the pair confirmed their split in May.

Now, nearly three months after the break-up, Ryan has been reflecting on her former life as the 52-year-old’s other half, claiming that being a WAG is more difficult than many realise.

“What they do is tough for a job, so you need that support at home. And I guess a lot of the trolls out there will say they’re just a WAG — they’re not just a WAG,” she told the Herald Sun.

“They work really hard at home, and they look after a home, which is hard.

“Sometimes I would say, seeing my mum do it, seeing my friends do it, being a stay at home mum and keeping a home and supporting an AFL footballer would be harder than being a CEO of a company.”

Nathan Buckley’s ex reckons being a WAG is ‘harder than being a CEO’. Picture: Instagram/BrodieRyan

But her candid comments appear to have fallen flat among Aussies, with many taking to social media to brutally roast Ryan, claiming the statement was “tone deaf”.

“Such a hard life …” one person commented.

“Harder than a CEO? You have no idea how people without money survive,” remarked another.

Someone else suggested she was “delusional”, and another asked: “This is a joke right?”

“These poor WAGs have no idea,” chipped in one more.

Despite assumptions online, Ryan’s LinkedIn profile shows she was employed as a business manager for a health centre during her three-year romance with Buckley.

But that didn’t stop the criticism coming in thick and fast.

Brodie Ryan split from the AFL legend in May – but recently opened up on life as a WAG. Picture: Instagram/BrodieRyan

Her comments have fallen flat with Aussies who have savaged her remarks, labelling them ‘tone deaf’. Picture: Instagram/BrodieRyan

“Spare me,” lamented one frustrated Aussie.

As another argued WAGs have “no concept of reality”.

“Entitlement in one sentence,” mused someone else.

Ryan announced her separation from Buckley with a heartfelt message on Instagram Stories addressed to “the followers of the ‘Brodes and Bucks’ journey”.

“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.”

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

The pair met in 2022 and had a 16-year age gap. They were regularly spotted out together in Melbourne’s social scene.

Buckley split from his wife and Tania in 2020. Picture: Supplied

Buckley separated from his wife Tania Buckley, with whom he shares two children, in 2020.

He later referred to his marriage breakdown as “the most traumatic thing that’s happened to me” in a candid interview.

“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 time.

“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 Buckley’s ex reckons being a WAG is ‘harder than being a CEO’