Nathan Buckley’s three-month break will become more common in the AFL, says coaches’ boss

THE life an AFL coach can be taxing and also stressful on the family, and Nathan Buckley’s decision to take an extended holiday shapes as the new frontier in helping to alleviate coaching stress.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is taking a three-month break to recharge. Picture: Michael Klein

NATHAN Buckley’s three-month Italian holiday shapes as the new frontier in helping to alleviate coaching stress, according to coaches’ boss Mark Brayshaw.

The Collingwood coach has taken an extended break — believed to be the first of such length in the AFL — and won’t be officially back involved with the Magpies until the new year.

Buckley, who left Australia a week after the Grand Final, is in northern Italy with his wife Tanya and two boys.

THE SCORE: GIL DODGES MEDIA AMID MUMMY SAGA

TRADE DEAL: WHY MAY CHOSE DEMONS OVER PIES

EVERY PICK: YOUR CLUB’S AFLW DRAFT SELECTIONS

“This is a really good concept and I’m very confident Collingwood and Nathan will be better for it next year,’’ Brayshaw said.

“If we are having a conversation in 10 years, what Nathan Buckley is doing at the moment will be much more common place. I’ve got no doubt that’s more likely than not.

“Because the more I do this job, the more I appreciate the incredible stresses the coaches and their families are under during the seasons.’’

He stressed families rode the journey with their dad and husband.

It’s why the AFL, and this year hosted by football boss Steve Hocking, gather the coaches’ wives for a luncheon in Grand Final week.

“They talk about shared experiences,’’ Brayshaw said.

The decision to extend Buckley’s break was “inspired’’.

Nathan Buckley with his family after Collingwood’s Grand Final loss to West Coast. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Buckley endured a highly-speculative 2017 season on his future, survived an internal review and, in one of the terrific stories this season, took his team to the Grand Final, where they were beaten by West Coat by five points in an epic encounter.

Noted as a factor in Collingwood’s renaissance this year was the change in Buckley as coach and as a person, which was spoken of by the players throughout the season.

Delegating to staff was a key component at revitalised Collingwood.

The Italian sojourn, which will see Buckley miss the pre-Christmas pre-season, could be translated to Buckle being more comfortable and confident in himself and the environment at Collingwood post-review.

Brayshaw believes Magpies football boss Geoff Walsh’s played a role.

“I thought it was inspired, I thought it was great ... it had Geoff Walsh’s fingerprints all over it,’’ Brayshaw said,

“I thought Walshy has read the tea leaves here. It’s great by the club, but also terrific by Nathan.

“He’s got some pretty good assistants now, Brad Gotch is a very good organiser, Harves (Robert Harvey), he really rates Justin Longmuir, there’s Garry Hocking.

“It’s consistent in my view with the feedback Nathan was given, where had to listen, had to delegate .. I think it is inspired by him and real a c;lever thing by the club to do.

“And I have no doubt he will come back refreshed and re-energised.’’

Buckley consoling Adam Treloar after the Grand Final. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Coaches tend to take a month to five weeks holiday in the off-season.

Former AFL Coaches’ Associaton boss and current Essendon coach, John Worsfold, has been intrigued by the potential positives of coaches taking extended leave, or forced leave during the season.

Brayshaw believes the football industry will monitor the outcomes of the Buckley decision.

“I’m not sure the Coaches Association will, but there is absolutely no doubt the industry, the other 17 clubs, will be looking at this, and as I suspect Nathan comes back refreshed and does well next year and the word gets out it is a success ... very few innovations aren’t examined by the peers,’’ Brayshaw said.

“So, all eyes will be on Collingwood after this, and I’ll say some of them I suspect will be envious.’’

Brayshaw said he spoke to a coach several years ago about a coach taking time off during the season.

“At the time it was pure speculation, and the coach didn’t agree with me, but he certainly didn’t throw it out the window,’’ he said.

“That’s the kind of thing I can see.’’