GWS star Jack Buckley confirms he won’t be going to Paris to watch partner Celeste Mucci

After making headlines last week, GWS defender Jack Buckley has clarified his position on a potential journey to Paris to watch partner Celeste Mucci compete in the hurdles.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Jack Buckley of the Giants runs with the ball during the round 18 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 14, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Giants defender Jack Buckley confirmed he’s looking forward to watching the Paris Olympics from his couch as he set the record straight on any notion of a mid-season European sojourn.

Buckley jokingly commented on radio last week that he would talk with coach Adam Kingsley about getting some time off to watch his girlfriend, Australian hurdler Celeste Mucci, compete at the Olympics.

However, he quickly found himself in the headlines with suggestions that he was ready to take a week off in the run-home to watch Mucci.

The key defender clarified his position on Monday and confirmed that he never intended to head to Paris.

Mucci will be making her Olympic debut in Paris. Picture: David Caird

“That got blown out of proportion a little bit,” Buckley said. “I was just doing an interview and it was all a bit tongue-in-cheek … the quote looked more serious than I meant it.

“I actually never asked Kingers to go to Paris. So, my priority is to help this team make finals and play well towards the end of the year. So I’ll be here, I’ll be playing. That’s what I want to do.

“Equally, in a perfect world, it would be great if I could go and support. But she gets it more than anyone that I need to be here and play footy.

“I’ll be cheering on very hard from the couch. And hopefully, it doesn’t overshadow how good a story it was her qualifying. I’m very proud of her and very excited to watch her.”

After overcoming a serious hamstring injury, Mucci will be one of three Aussies competing in the 100m hurdles. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Kingsley suggested last week that there could be a watch party organised at Giants HQ to watch Mucci compete.

The former heptathlete will make her Olympic debut in Paris in the 100m hurdles, overcoming a ruptured tendon in her hamstring to take her place on the start line.

“I’m really looking forward to the Olympics and particularly Celeste competing in the 100-meter hurdles,” Kingsley said.

“The heat is 6:15pm, Wednesday afternoon, 7th of August, that’s Wednesday morning in Paris. So yeah, we won’t need to get up too early to watch the heat, maybe the final if she’s good enough to make it and we’ve got our fingers crossed.”

Originally published as GWS star Jack Buckley confirms he won’t be going to Paris to watch partner Celeste Mucci