The Devils have ‘sounded out’ Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley about coaching the Devils
Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale has spoken to Nathan Buckley about coaching the AFL’s 19th team - and he got a surprising reaction. Here’s what he said.
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Tasmania CEO Brendon Gale has revealed he met with Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley about the Devils’ senior coaching job as “one of several” candidates he deemed “attractive” to lead the AFL’s 19th team into battle in 2028.
While keeping their conversation largely confidential, Gale said Buckley had shown an interest in the Devils program — but he was not the only one.
Buckley recently indicated an urge to get back into a hands-on football role and Gale said he was worth talking to about the Devils’ role.
“He’s a good listener Nathan, and to be honest I didn’t even start at the job, [it was] just to talk to him about the possibilities and opportunities,” Gale said.
“He is one of several who would be attractive and worth talking to.
“He is an incredible football person with an incredible mind, so it was just to talk about him about his future and what his aspirations are.
“He was a very successful senior coach of Collingwood, he is a very successful and insightful media performer.
“So I have spoken to Nathan as I have spoken to many AFL club people about a range of different roles and will continue to do so.”
Buckley is a Collingwood legend, having captained the Pies as part of his 280-game, 284-goal AFL career that included the 2003 Brownlow Medal and 2002 Norm Smith Medal.
Post-career the 52-year-old was assistant-coach to Mick Malthouse before taking over the senior role and coaching Collingwood in 218 games, including a grand final and being voted AFL Coach of the Year in 2018.
“Nathan is an experienced coach and very successful, but there are others,” Gale said.
“The appointment of a senior coach isn’t an immediate priority, but we need to be in those conversations.
“We need to be sounding out some of those people and flagging our interest.”
Gale, TFC marketing director Kath McCann and Devils mascot Rum’un were special guests at the annual Master Builders Tasmania President’s Lunch in Hobart on Friday.
The focus was on the benefits of key infrastructure projects linked to the club’s development, which will create jobs and opportunities, particularly for young Tasmanians.
“These projects create well-paid, highly skilled jobs for Tasmanian builders, and they will deliver infrastructure that underpins our economy and communities into the future,” Master Builders Tasmania CEO David Clerk said.
“This isn’t just about timber, bricks and mortar, this is an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen our building industry and shape the next generation of builders.
“The stadium alone is estimated to create 600 building jobs, with a peak workforce of 450 on site, and one in five of those could be apprentices.
“This chance to have our apprentices learn the trade on some of the most unique, specialised and sizeable projects that our state has ever seen. This will have a lasting legacy on skills and employment, shaping our industry for decades to come.”
A report from the AEC Group in April 2025 highlighted the Macquarie Point stadium alone was forecast to deliver $140 million in economic impact during construction, facilitating hundreds of jobs and driving local procurement.
“From upgrades at York Park and the Dial Regional Sports Complex, to the new stadium and the High-Performance Centre at Kingston – we’re backing the construction industry and countless small businesses across the state,” Mr Gale said.
“We’re excited to be a catalyst for new jobs, driving economic stimulus and creating long-term value for Tasmania.
“Upgrading existing venues and building new state-of-the-art facilities will deliver immediate benefits and ensure all Tasmanians can enjoy these multipurpose community spaces for generations to come.”
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