Tasmanian Devils recruiting manager Derek Hine says former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley could be ready to coach new team
As the AFL’s newest club builds towards entry in 2028, one of the game’s biggest names could be moving closer to a coaching role in Tasmania.
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Newly appointed Tasmanian Devils recruiting manager Derek Hine is adamant former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is ready to “jump back in” as the club searches for its first coach.
Hine and Buckley worked together at the Magpies as part of the staff that fell agonisingly short of victory in the 2019 grand final.
They have marinated a relationship and Hine said a recent text message from Buckley gave him hope that a return to the coaching ranks could be coming.
The Devils will enter the AFL in 2028 and Hine said Buckley’s time out of the game, after quitting his Magpies post in 2021 after nine seasons in charge, would “help him” second time around.
“He texted me the other day, so there must be something in the text!” Hine said.
“He is a good man Bucks, he was 45 seconds off a flag when you think about it.
“He’s played at the level, he’s coached at the level, and I really feel that his time out of the game will help him, not hinder him.
“Those decisions are at a higher level than what I am, but Bucks is a really strong advocate for change and for opportunity.”
Hind was confident that Buckley wanted to get back into coaching and said the 52-year-old would be a perfect fit for the new Tasmanian team.
“Having spoken to him five or six months ago, I just got the feeling that he was ready to jump back in,” Hine told SEN Tassie’s The Devil’s Advocate.
“I’d love to work with Bucks again. He’s got some great assets that he could bring to the table, but again that’s clearly not my decision.
“He’s a good man, he works exceptionally hard, and I think coming into a program like Tasmania would be good for him.
“Would I be able to work closely with Nathan? Absolutely, and I think it’d be good for Tassie.”
Buckley has forged a strong media career since leaving his coaching role, which produced 117 wins from 208 games.
Originally published as Tasmanian Devils recruiting manager Derek Hine says former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley could be ready to coach new team
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