Nathan Buckley reveals his biggest commentary mistake

Nathan Buckley has opened up in an interview on the challenges of commentary and what it’s like stepping away from the Pies.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Nathan Buckley is seen commentating for FOX Footy during the 2022 AFL Community Series match between the Essendon Bombers and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on March 5, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Nathan Buckley has revealed his biggest commentary stuff-up in an exclusive interview for news.com.au’s I’ve Got News For You podcast, and revealed which player in the league has the hardest name to pronounce.

The interview comes as Buckley joins the Fox Footy team for the upcoming 2023 AFL Premiership season, coming aboard the On The Couch program alongside Jonathan Brown and Garry Lyon.

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Buckley told podcast host Andrew Bucklow that the player whose name he struggles with the most is actually Fremantle’s Luke Ryan.

Despite Ryan having only three syllables in his name to deal with, compared to the likes of Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (who has the longest name in VFL/AFL history) or Hawthorn legend Robert DiPierdomenico, Buckley said he “just forgets” the name.

Jonathan Brown, Garry Lyon and Nathan Buckley. Picture: Alex Coppel

“His name shouldn’t be Ryan, it should be Smith, or something else,” he joked.

“He gets the ball 30 times a game, so it shouldn’t be that hard.”

Buckley also opened up on his predictions for the flag, calling Geelong to go back-to-back.

“It’s pretty hard to go past Geelong and everyone’s trying to catch them at the moment,” he said.

Buckley was also asked about the topic of gay players in the league, noting that in other male professional sports players had begun to come out but the AFL was devoid of openly gay players.

“I think the environment in society, let alone in the AFL landscape is definitely becoming more accepting and understanding of difference full stop, let alone sexual orientation,” he said.

“So I think we’re moving towards it. But ultimately, it is an individual choice about what you want to share and when, and how.

“And part of that would obviously be a consideration of how you feel it would be received, and what sort of support that you have around you.”

Fox Footy’s On The Couch airs on Monday nights at 8.30pm AEST.

Originally published as Nathan Buckley reveals his biggest commentary mistake