Buckley prepares to help Nilma Darnum end their losing streak

Nathan Buckley admits he isn’t in prime condition ahead of his return to footy, but the Brownlow Medallist is confident he’ll do better than Kane Cornes.

Even with injured calves, AFL legend Nathan Buckley says he’ll have more impact for Nilma Darnum than Kane Cornes had in his local footy return.

The Brownlow Medallist will be the last ex-AFL player to feature in the Carlton Draft, which sees players head to country footy clubs.

Buckley joins the Bombers, who compete in the Ellinbank and District league, with the most pressure after being selected with the first draft pick.

But he’s confident he’ll put on a better showing than radio counterpart Cornes.

“I heard he got eight touches,” he said.

“Bernie (Vince) and (David) Mundy have set the bar up here (high), although Josh (Kennedy) was up there as well.

“And Jordy (Lewis, as well) who’s been spoken about a little bit.

“Then there is a low bar, which is Kane. Maybe if Kane hadn’t have done that I might not feel as comfortable going into it. In the end it really is for a bit of fun. To say my preparation has been shoddy is an understatement.

“The last couple of months I haven’t been able to hit the pavement as much as I wouldn’t have liked.

“My calf keeps going, so hopefully I can stay upright for four quarters.”

Nilma Darnum captain Oxley Huson with Buckley, who will play for the club this weekend. Picture: Shane Jones

The game, against Catani on Sunday, will be Buckley’s first since he retired for Collingwood in 2007 after 280 games.

He admitted, with his age, the midfielder may struggle with the rigours of the day.

“I’ve obviously spoke to Kane (Cornes) and he found it tough,” Buckley said.

“Getting hit and hitting as well, in the tackles, it’s something I have no concept of how my body is going to hold up to that, when you haven’t done it for so long.

“Bernie, Kennedy and Mundy, they are all just recently out of it and they stood up and did what you would expect them to do.

“They all enjoyed running around with some training in their legs, I’ve got no idea what I’m going into.

“I’ll try and run out as much of the game as I can and contribute wherever I can, have a few laughs and just enjoy being on the footy ground.”

Buckley hopes he also raises awareness for not only the club but country footy.

“That’s the beauty of the concept,” he said.

“The health of country footy has been questioned of the past few decades.

“It’s a challenge and country footy is looking very different as it goes along.

“So when you can celebrate it, shine a light on it and bring some focus around it and recognise footy is a game for all.

“Anytime you can do that it is a wonderful thing.”

Nilma Darnum head into the clash on a 34-game winless streak with their last win coming against Poowong on July 31 in 2021.

Nathan Buckley is all smiles as he receives his red and black Nilma Darnum jersey ahead of this weekend. Picture: Shane Jones.

Bombers captain Oxley Huson is hoping Buckley can be the charm to end the streak.

They’ve been close to winning twice this season, losing by five points to Trafalgar in round two and by eight points to the Lang Lang Tigers two weeks ago.

“We’re really hoping so (to win with him),” the captain said.

“You can definitely feel the buzz and the excitement across the players and the training track is starting to show that.

“Hopefully he makes other people walk a bit taller and play a little bit out of themselves.

“It will be a great lifter.”

Huson only has one concern about Buckley playing, he doesn’t want him to steal his spot.

“He can go wherever he wants as long as he doesn’t play my spot,” he said.

“I play on ball so I’d like to play next to him (if I can).”

The Bombers take on Catani on Sunday at Darnum Recreation Reserve at 2.10pm.

David Mundy (Carngham Linton), Josh Kennedy (Murrabit), Jordan Lewis (Buchan), Bernie Vince (Maryborough Rovers) and Cornes (Moyston Willaura) are the others to have been involved in the Carlton Draft this season.