Mick Malthouse ‘bewildered’ by Nathan Buckley’s comments in wake of Hall of Fame nod

Mick Malthouse says he’s “bewildered” by this week’s criticism from Nathan Buckley, saying the comments have rocked his family and hijacked his chance to farewell Collingwood.

Mick Malthouse is saddened by this week's events.

Mick Malthouse says Nathan Buckley’s comments about their broken relationship have taken the gloss off his Hall of Fame elevation, admitting they had a “massive effect” on his family.

Malthouse said his two daughters and wife Nanette had been rocked by the comments from Buckley that the Pies premiership coach saw him as an “enemy”.

He said he had never been able to say goodbye to the Collingwood faithful, having coached them in the 2011 Grand Final then being “told to leave” the club the next day.

Malthouse had hoped the Hall of Fame elevation this week was his way to say goodbye but instead the week was hijacked by the comments.

He said his fellow Hall of Fame nominees, including Brad Hardie and Ken Hunter, had been “robbed” and “cheated” of their recognition.

Mick Malthouse feels for Brad Hardie and Ken Hunter. Picture: Jay Town

“There are a lot of quotes in there I am bewildered with and I just don’t get some of the things he is talking with remotely,” Malthouse told ABC Radio.

“We had a very good relationship as coach captain, I went to his wedding, he went to my first daughter’s wedding, we had dinner at his place, he came to ours.

“He stood by my side as a captain. However some of those quotes are just bewildering.”

Malthouse said his sacking as the AFL coaching games record holder at Carlton after he moved on from the Pies didn’t allow him a fitting farewell.

“When I left Collingwood it was very instant. There was no rejoicing the 12 years. I coached a Grand Final on the Saturday and was told to leave on the Sunday. Which I did with my boys carrying my stuff home for me. At Carlton I got sacked. There has been little triumph at the end to say see you later fans.

Mick Malthouse is saddened by this week's events.

“When this came about on Tuesday night it was a wonderful night and I thought here are my kids enjoying it and there will be something in the press to say your father joined the league Hall of Fame.

“I woke up and it wasn’t there because of the circumstances of this. It has had a massive effect on my family.

“My boys will get over it. My girls and my wife are affected by what took place. They feel every time I get an accolade my head gets knocked over.”

Buckley said this week his comments on his paid weekly SEN shift had been taken out of context, asking for fans to listen to the entire interview.

He said he understood Malthouse’s strengths as a coach but said he had “rat cunning” and was a “master manipulator”.