Collingwood: Nathan Buckley, former AFL Pies player, coach to play grassroots footy

Brownlow medallist Nathan Buckley is making his footy comeback at the ripe old age of 50 but says he’s looking forward to “being a young fella with a love of the game and stars in his eyes”.

Nathan Buckley is coming out of retirement to play for a country footy club.

Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley is making a comeback to the footy field — more than 15 years after retiring as a player.

The Brownlow Medallist – who has maintained admirable fitness since the end of his proud career – has decided to pull back on the boots at the ripe old age of 50.

But before Pies fans picture their favourite son back in black and white, Buckley has committed to playing grassroots footy rather than the elite game that saw him win six Collingwood best and fairests.

The former Collingwood captain will on Tuesday be announced as the star of the second “Carlton Draft”, helping battling bush and suburban clubs sign an AFL legend to turn around their flagging fortunes.

Buckley leads teammates in a Collingwood vs Geelong preliminary final match at the MCG in 2007.

Buckley celebrating a Pies victory after coaching his final match for the team at the SCG in June, 2021. Picture: Getty Images

Buckley told the Herald Sun he had not played a competitive match since retiring at the end of the 2007 or even kicked a footy for 18 months but was looking forward to his football journey coming “full circle’’.

“It’s going to be very different, it will be an experience and between now and then I need to make sure that I’m somewhat prepared so I don’t break,’’ he said.

“I expect to break in some shape or form but I just don’t know where and I don’t know when.’’

Buckley, Hawthorn four-time premiership star Jordan Lewis, dual Melbourne best and fairest Bernie Vince and three other former players will line up for struggling clubs in the initiative.

“I like the concept of going to a country club that might or might not be going through some struggles,’’ Buckley said.

“I presume I’m going to meet a lot of young people that love the game and people who love their club and I’m looking forward to being in that space.’’

Having coached Collingwood for 10 years at the end of his 280 game AFL career, the seven time All Australian was looking forward to returning to a grassroots club for the first time since he was a kid.

“Wherever I end up, it’s going to be like returning to just being a young fella with a love of the game and stars in his eyes,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m going to see plenty of people in that position and looking forward to experiencing that, sitting with those people and just helping them along.

“It really is a bit of full circle for me.’’

Brownlow Medal winners Mark Riccito, Nathan Buckley and Adam Goodes. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Former Collingwood and Carlton star Dale Thomas rolled out a best-on-ground performance for Nhill Tigers as part of last year’s Carlton Draft, willing them over the line for their first win in 1029 days.

The club generating more than $12,000 in revenue from the after-match activity alone and Buckley said CUB had started something special by sending former AFL stars to help clubs in need.

“Footy and the structure of footy is very different to what it was 20 years ago or 40 years ago,’’ he said.

Buckley in his younger days. Picture: Australian Rules

Kangaroos player Corey McKernan tackles Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley at Colonial Stadium in 2000. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“Some of these country clubs that were really strong, it’s definitely more difficult to make ends meet and put it altogether on a profit and loss statement, just to keep their heads above water.

“So, I think it’s a nod to real grassroots football and an acknowledgment that we can give you a bit more of a profile, we’ll give you some experiences you might not otherwise get.

“If it brings a bit more gate in then I think it’s a bonus.’’

Entries close on March 27, with six clubs to be announced in early April.

Originally published as Collingwood: Nathan Buckley, former AFL Pies player, coach to play grassroots footy