Nathan Buckley pic sends footy into a frenzy as Kangaroos search begins

A picture of Nathan Buckley walking with North Melbourne boss Ben Amarfio has sent the AFL rumour mill wild as the Roos coach hunt begins.

Nathan Buckley speaks with Ben Amarfio. Photo: Twitter / @markhallo7

A tweeted picture of former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley walking with North Melbourne CEO Ben Amarfio has sent the AFL wild, despite pouring cold water on the rumours.

The photo of the pair in conversation on a walk raised speculation the pair were discussing the Roos’ vacant senior coaching role.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The role is free after David Noble was sacked as the Roos coach after just 38 games in charge.

The Kangaroos are anchored to the bottom of the ladder, managing just one win from 16 games this year.

But as soon as the rumour mill began turning, Amarfio shut it down immediately.

“Nathan has zero interest in coaching. I knew that before our walk (on Friday),” Amarfio told NewsCorp on Friday.

Buckley and Amarfio are reportedly close friends and have been for a number of years.

Buckley, who left Collingwood after the best part of a decade at the reins of the club, has become an AFL media darling with roles on Fox Sports and SEN radio.

Amarfio wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t sound out all the best options on the table and reportedly briefly mentioned the vacant job, despite knowing what the answer would likely be.

Buckley confirmed recently he wouldn’t be chasing a coaching role, despite being linked with the vacant role at the GWS Giants and now North Melbourne.

Bucks is loving being in the media. Photo by Michael Klein

Buckley took the Magpies to a grand final in 2018 and five finals series with a record of 112 wins, 92 losses and two draws.

Speaking on Fox Sports’ Best on Ground in May, he slammed the door shut on a coaching role in 2023.

“Nup. I won’t be coaching next year. I’m enjoying (being) on this couch too much,” he said.

Asked about 2024, Buckley said “we’ll talk about that later”.

“Right now, having had the time out of the game and enjoyed the space that I’ve been in with Fox and SEN without the stress and pressure of coaching, I’ve actually really enjoyed myself and the situations I’ve found myself in,” Buckley said.

“I don’t feel the need to bring that stress back into my life at this point.

“If I don’t have that in my heart then I can’t do it for myself first and foremost, but I wouldn’t be doing the right thing by an organisation walking in if you were three-quarters ready.

“I can’t see myself doing it next year.”

North Melbourne are already on the hunt for the next coach and are expected to name a coaching selection panel soon.

It’s expected the top candidate for the role is former Hawks four-time premiership winning coach Alastair Clarkson.

It seems like everyone wants Clarkson. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Kangaroos had long been expected to move on from Noble as he was only able to manage five wins in 38 games under his tenure, while the final straw came when the Roos butchered a 26-point lead against Collingwood last week.

Noble chose to leave immediately after the Roos had made a decision on his future earlier this week.

“I gave my absolute heart and soul to the club, and I think I leave it in a better position for success in the future,” Noble told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday morning.

“We all walk away comfortable that this is the right call for myself, my family and the club.

“I would have liked to have brought more success. I always worked in the club’s best interest, but ultimately the scoreboard doesn’t lie.

“We have a loyal and passionate group of supporters, the envy of the competition. It might not be the biggest but it’s a fiercely loyal group.

“To the players, I believe in each and every one of you, and see the work you’re putting in. It will turn.

“Continue to work closely with each other, your coaches and the staff and I know it will turn.”

David Noble is out at North Melbourne. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Noble explained that telling his playing group of the decision was “one of the hardest things” he’s done, revealing some of the athletes were in tears.

However this conflicts with reports concerning feedback from staff and players led to the decision.

“The feedback from a large section of staff was so strong it left the club with little choice but to act,” SEN’s Sam Edmund reported.

“Some players also made it clear that unless Noble was sacked they would seriously consider their playing futures beyond this season.”

Originally published as Nathan Buckley pic sends footy into a frenzy as Kangaroos search begins