Nathan Buckley says he regrets reporting of his Mick Malthouse ‘enemy’ comments

The Collingwood coach says he regrets the way his comments about AFL Hall of Fame inductee Mick Malthouse have been portrayed.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says he regrets the reporting of his comments about former mentor Mick Malthouse.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has responded to criticism of his comments regarding the broken relationship between himself and Mick Malthouse.

Speaking on SEN on Wednesday morning, Buckley said Malthouse regards him as an “enemy”.

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When asked about the timing of his radio comments — being the morning after Malthouse was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame — Buckley said the way it was reported was “disappointing”.

“I regret the way it’s been reported,” Buckley said.

“The focus on this one relationship is disappointing at this point in time given Mick’s induction to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday night. The focus should be on his significant contribution to the game as a player and a coach.

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“What I would do is direct people to the context of the comments and to actually go and see them in their entirety to understand that it was about an understanding of Mick as a driven person and how that drive has pushed him to success in his career.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says he regrets the reporting of his comments about former mentor Mick Malthouse.

“Ultimately you break a few eggs along the way and some of those are broken relationships, which in actual fact ours is, but I don’t think that should be the focus of what came out of that conversation. There’s actually a lot of positivity and positive comment in what I said that not a lot would be aware of.”

Buckley said he hadn’t contacted Malthouse since the controversial comments but still holds his former mentor’s career in football in the highest regard.

“Mick’s been a tremendous servant to the game. Success as a player. Success as a coach,” Buckley said.

“He’s gone about it in his own way … he’s done it being himself which I admire. I’ve always admired people with the courage to do it their way and that’s exactly how Mick has done it.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate that our relationship, or the breakdown of our relationship, is a focus at this time.

Nathan Buckley and Mick Malthouse worked together as part of the Collingwood coaching staff as part of a succession plan.

“It’s such a small part of Mick’s story.

“It shouldn’t be about me. It shouldn’t be about necessarily just the Collingwood Football Club either. It’s definitely not in the context of what happened eight years ago with the coaching handover. But it seems to be something that people are interested in. But I agree, Mick needs the space and the game needs the space to celebrate his achievements.”