Nathan Buckley plots first post-Pies move

Nathan Buckley’s post-footy future is starting to become clearer, with talk he is about to take up a top media gig.

Nathan Buckley’s TV broadcasting future remains up in the air with Fox Footy refusing to confirm or deny he has signed a deal to join the AFL channel.

SEN’s breakfast program suggested Buckley had signed a deal with Fox Footy after 7’s chairman Kerry Stokes deemed the Collingwood legend unavailable due to existing talent rosters.

Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley responded to Sheahan Ink’s queries on the ex-Magpies coach: “We’ve bought a ticket in the lottery and we’re daring to dream we’re a chance”.

Buckley stepped down as Collingwood coach after the club’s win in the Queen’s Birthday clash against Melbourne at the SCG, winning by 17 points.

Nathan Buckley’s television broadcasting future remains up in the air. Picture: Matt King

CLARKO TIPPED FOR NEW ROLE

Clarkson has catapulted to No.1 on the list of people the Suns need to go after in the wake of his shocking departure from the Hawks on Friday.

Labelled one of the greatest AFL coaches in the history of the game, Clarkson and Hawthorn came to an agreement on Friday, which would have the four-time premiership coach leave at season’s end.

Which now opens the door for potential suitors to pounce.

Clarkson said on Friday: “yes I am” able to coach other clubs next year.

The Suns’ executive is understood to have spoken with the AFL already about an initiative to have Clarkson move to the Gold Coast.

An existing relationship between the Gold Coast’s Mark Evans and Clarkson stemming from their days at Hawthorn has propelled this ideal situation forward rapidly in light of the shock decision.

Sheahan Ink has been told Clarkson could move into a football director’s role, a head of football who would oversee current coach Stuart Dew, or a mentor to Dew, with the potential to take over if the on-field fortunes failed.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said the club would not stand in the way of Clarkson if he accepted an offer to coach elsewhere in 2022, with the Hawks now under the reign of club champion Sam Mitchell.

At Friday’s press conference, Clarkson said he was in the right “head space” to consider rival offers at the moment and would most likely “take a breath” after 17 seasons with the brown and gold.

FENECH HITS OUT OVER ‘CRAP’ FOOTY BOXING BAN

Boxing legend Jeff Fenech has hit out at the Hawthorn football club and the AFL for the game’s strong stance on banning the sport.

The three-time world champion says it’s the Hawks’ hierarchy’s fault for allowing its players to go toe-to-toe, resulting in the concussion of Mitch Lewis, and implores the league to overturn its ban so players can learn the sweet science and get fitter.

“It’s crap. It’s the stupidest thing I've ever heard,” Fenech said on Friday.

“A lot of these guys don’t know how to take a punch or be hit. They don’t know how to roll or take a punch and if you get hit by someone you will likely get concussion.”

The league on Thursday night banned boxing by all players after Mitch Lewis was concussed at the hands of a teammate in a sparring session which forced him to miss games.

Fenech slammed the Hawthorn hierarchy that instigated the unsanctioned sparring session at the club, labelling them “unprofessional”.

“How could they let them spar when there is no proper supervision?

“It’s totally unprofessional to let them spar. Was there anybody there to supervise and to watch them and the power of punches?” Fenech asked.

“Blame the coach, blame the people who got the players to punch each other in the head.

Jeff Fenech with GWS players.

Jeff Fenech boxing with Toby Greene.

“How heavy was one guy and how heavy was the other? A lot of things have to be taken into consideration when doing that,” the Marrickville Mauler told Sheahan Ink.

“Imagine if that guy got hurt and fell down and hit his head.

“The people putting these players up against each other aren’t taking into consideration each player’s weight or ability.

“Some players wouldn’t know how to hold their hands up or defend or even throw a punch properly.”

We asked Fenech if the AFL should reconsider its boxing ban among the 18 clubs and Fenech delivered a strong “yes”.

“Of course it should be overturned, boxing training is one thing, sparring is another.

“What are the players getting out of punching each other in the head?

“Why would you want to punch your mate in the head when they don’t know how to punch or defend?

“I trained the boys from GWS in the pre-season. They weren’t punched in the head, they’ve never been concussed, that I saw.

“Look at Toby Greene this year. I’m sure the work that he and Harry (Himmelberg) and Isaac (Cumming) put in earlier this year would be holding them in good stead.

“I pushed them very hard which would have helped them immensely”

“Boxing training for any other sport than boxing is for fitness.

“It’s not where you put gloves on each other and punch each other in the head.”

Fenech’s fight record speaks for itself: 28 wins, one draw, with 21 by way of knockout.

Just the three losses, in a career that spanned 22 years, so he is well equipped to deliver a few sprays and backhanders to those not doing the sport justice.

And his advice for Mitch Lewis would be: “I don’t want to teach the kid how to box, I don’t want to teach him to get hit in the head”.

“If I’m going to do the boxing training I’m not going to let them punch each other.

“I’m using boxing training as fitness, making them fitter than they’ve ever been.

“It’s a great motivator before the players run out on to the field, so when they’re on the field they can dig deeper,” 56-year-old Fenech said.

SHEAHAN INK’S SECRET SHORTS

Which AFL legend’s son found himself in hot water over an incident with a female that’s going to hurt the family hip pocket?

The private school-educated boy is alleged to have physically assaulted the girl, with an agreed figure settled upon to avoid further action.

It’s understood the talented junior footballer’s predicament is known by the competition’s governing body with no action taken ... as yet.

PERTH WANTS HOLY GRAIL IN WEST

Perth is emerging as favourite to host this year’s AFL grand final with the Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan backing the state’s push to host the game in light of the current Covid-19 situation.

But the Fremantle football club may have derailed McGowan’s push for Perth with assistant coach Josh Carr fined and suspended, along with player Brandon Walker, whoo was fined for breaching quarantine regulations by walking his dog.

Carr has been stood down by the Dockers after police attended his residence and were unable to locate the 41-year-old, who was meant to be in isolation upon the team’s return from Queensland.

McGowan has given his strongest indication his state is very much in the mix to host the AFL’s ultimate glory on the last day in September.

“My main focus is protecting Western Australians from the growing threat of the Delta strain, which is causing havoc in the eastern states,” Premier McGowan told Sheahan Ink on Friday.

“Perth is ready and capable of hosting the biggest sporting events Australia has to offer, safely and successfully.”

In a blow to Melbourne’s hopes of hosting the grand final, the AFL, in consultation with the Victorian government, has decided the grand final parade will not go ahead this year due to Covid protocols and in an effort to reduce community transmission.

“The people of Perth and Western Australia have done a fantastic job in following the health advice and ensuring the virus is kept is kept out of our state. This is why Optus Stadium is one of the few major venues that is in a position to host capacity crowds in the current climate,” McGowan said.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has given a strong indication his state could host the AFL grand final. Picture: Matt Jelonek

Perth’s Optus Stadium has a capacity of 60,000 fans, which is considerably less than that of the MCG but, as Victoria continues to battle Covid outbreaks, the situation looks precarious.

“Our preference is the threat across Australia comes to an end as quickly as possible however, we’re regularly in discussions with the AFL as season 2021 continues to throw up challenges,” the Premier said.

In a further bonus for the state of Western Australia and its bid to host the grand final, the late Michael Gudinski’s music company Mushroom Records, tasked with organising the game’s music acts, is understood to be preparing for the big game to be held in Perth.

Australian artists are currently in talks with the group’s executive about playing on the country’s biggest stage.

As we go to print, there is just 55 days until the AFL grand final.

“We will continue to follow the health advice which has kept Western Australia safe and strong despite the obvious danger from the virus,” Premier McGowan said.