Nathan Buckley spotted ‘observing’ in Fremantle’s coach’s box

Nathan Buckley has been spotted in a surprising image sure to spark speculation amid a potential AFL coaching merry-go-round.

Nathan Buckley in Fremantle's coach's box.

Nathan Buckley is dipping his toe back into the world of AFL coaching.

Buckley was spotted in the back row of the Fremantle (Walyalup) coaches box for their Round 11 clash against Naarm at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

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The 50-year-old, who was watching on quietly wearing casual clothes, has been part of Fox Footy’s commentary team since he finished up coaching at the Magpies.

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir served under Buckley at Collingwood as the Magpies’ defensive coach for a couple of seasons, before being appointed as Fremantle’s senior coach at the end of 2019.

Walyalup explained on Twitter: “Nathan Buckley will be observing the game today from our coaches box.

“JL and Bucks have a relationship from their Collingwood days and Nathan was keen to see how things operate on game day.”

Nathan Buckley will be observing the game today from our coaches box.

JL and Bucks have a relationship from their Collingwood days and Nathan was keen to see how things operate on game day.#KalyakoorlWalyaluppic.twitter.com/fk883ap6iL

— Walyalup Football Club (@freodockers) May 27, 2023

Nathan Buckley watching on from the coaches' box.#AFLDeesFreo | #AFLDeadlypic.twitter.com/Mrqo6DMhv4

— AFL (@AFL) May 27, 2023

Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson said on Fox Footy: “Familiar face at the back row of the Freo’s coaches box, Nathan Buckley.”

Anthony Hudson added: “Lending a hand to his old colleague, at least being an observer.”

It was an intriguing sight and will do little to quell speculation Buckley’s coaching days aren’t over yet.

Buckley proved a good luck charm as Fremantle claimed a gritty 79 (12.7) to 72 (10.12) win over Melbourne.

Interestingly, Buckley also steered Collingwood to a win over the Demons in his last ever game in charge of the Magpies.

Nathan Buckley factor #AFLDeesFreo#AFLpic.twitter.com/fC2ZdovwLm

— JAKE 🇦🇺 (@IncrediblyBozza) May 27, 2023

Buckley + Longmuir energy too strong #AFLDeesFreo

— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) May 27, 2023

“It came about mutually, it’s been in the pipelines for a while and this date fitted in really well,” Longmuir said post game.

“I’ll touch base with him during the week on what he thought of the day, and what he thought of our coaching set up and communication in the box … I was really keen for it to happen to help my coaching journey.

“He was keen for that side of it, but he works in the media, he wants to have a look at how we go about things and get a deeper understanding of how we’re trying to play and how some of our players operate.”

Buckley coached Collingwood for 10 seasons before he stepped down midway through the 2021 season.

The AFL coaching landscape is in a state of flux after Alastair Clarkson stepped away from North Melbourne indefinitely and Damien Hardwick quit as Richmond coach mid-season.

The departure of Hardwick, in particular, is expected to spark a coaching merry-go-round with several senior coaches potentially in the frame to be sacked or move clubs.

Fremantle’s Justin Longmuir knows Buckley from their Collingwood days. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Is Nathan Buckley considering a return to coaching? (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is out of contract at the end of this season and despite the Power’s scintillating 8-2 start to the season, the club says it will wait until later in the year to make a call on his future.

Hinkley has been linked to the vacant Tigers gig, and his departure would create an opening for Hardwick to return to the club where he won the 2004 premiership as a player.

Highly rated Richmond assistant Andrew McQualter has been appointed Tigers interim coach.

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said this week the Tigers won’t be afraid to appoint an untried coach, arguing “this need to get a premiership coach is a bit of myth”.

Gold Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew and West Coast’s Adam Simpson are under contract but are also potentially on the chopping block.

A wildcard in the coaching carousel is Nathan Buckley, who will doubt be asked if he has a desire to return to the coaching fraternity.

“There’s no burning ambition for me to get back into a football club,” he said on Fox Footy last year.

“You try and assess it, how much you’re carrying. There’s always a little bit of resentment around the pressure that is brought to bear.

“I enjoy helping young men be better versions of themselves. The winning and losing part, I love winning but I’m probably not as ruthless around winning and losing. It’s more about the development of individuals and the development of a group of people that I really enjoyed in the last four or five years.

“I’m definitely not in the space (to return).”