Ex-Pies coach Nathan Buckley’s ‘raw’ reaction to prelim heartbreak

Collingwood have turned its fortunes around in one season but it doesn’t make the pain hurt less — just ask the former coach.

Nathan Buckley was just as shattered. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

Former Collingwood Magpies coach Nathan Buckley has revealed the immediate pain at watching his former club go oh so close to a grand final berth against the Sydney Swans.

The Swans led by as many as 36-points during the match but had to hold on desperately to book a date to the MCG for next Saturday’s AFL grand final against the Geelong Cats in a 14.11 (95) to 14.10 (94) thriller.

Watch every match prior to the AFL grand final Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

It was utter heartbreak for the Magpies and the legion of Collingwood fans who turned out at the SCG for the preliminary final as supporters broke down in tears after the siren.

However, they’re not alone as Buckley was riding them just as hard.

The 50-year-old played one season at the Brisbane Bears and then traded to the Pies, where he became a club legend in his 260-game career at the club.

A 2003 Brownlow winner, 2002 Norm Smith Medallist in a losing side, and seven-time All Australian, Buckley put his heart and soul into the club.

Buckley after the 2002 GF.

Bucks knows how they feel. Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

After retiring, he entered the coaching ranks and did his apprenticeship under Mick Malthouse before taking the reins as head coach in 2012, a position he held until 2021.

The man bleeds black and white and said he was feeling “a little bit raw” after the result.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Best on Ground, host Mark Howard said he’d never seen Buckley so invested in a match.

“I haven’t known how to feel the last 10 minutes,” Buckley said.

“I thought boys were amazing, the club has been amazing all year.

“I can see some Collingwood fans with tears in their eyes and I feel that. There was a sense of destiny about the group this year and they didn’t quite get there.

“For the Collingwood faithful, its just a little bit raw. The script and the story of the year continued right to the death.”

Buckley said he felt most for the senior players on the team who are running out of time in their careers.

“I feel for (captain Scott Pendlebury) Pendles, (Jeremy Howe) Howey, (Steele) Sidebottom, these guys – the clock ticks and it runs out,” he said.

“It takes a lot of work to get to where they got to. You don’t automatically get back there.”

Brutal scenes. Picture by Michael Klein

It was a wild season for the Magpies, who turned it around in 2022 under Craig McRae.

When Buckley finished up as coach, the Pies were in the midst of a horror season, crashing to 17th on the ladder.

But in 2022, the Pies finished top four and proved to be the kings of the close game, claiming an 11-game streak which included nine victories by less than two goals.

Buckley felt the Pies may have had at least one more miracle in them but added the Swans deserved to play off for the premiership.

“The two teams that did (make the grand final) have been the best teams throughout the year. It’s going to be a cracking grand final,” he said.

Originally published as Ex-Pies coach Nathan Buckley’s ‘raw’ reaction to prelim heartbreak