AFL world erupts after stunning news about Nathan Buckley comes to light
Premiership coaches John Longmire and Adam Simpson were initially believed to be the prime targets, but that's been flipped on its head. According to leading reporter Sam McClure, former Collingwood coach Buckley is the 'hot favourite'.
'In the last 72 hours, the wheels at Melbourne have started turning for a new coach,' McClure said on 3AW radio on Friday. 'From the noises coming out of the Melbourne board, Nathan Buckley has emerged as the hot favourite to be coaching Melbourne next year.
"I would be shocked if they went down the road of an untried coach. My opinion is that Melbourne's decision (to sack Goodwin) was made easier by the fact people like John Longmire and Nathan Buckley are sitting there available.
"Nathan Buckley is wrestling with this inner voice in terms of whether he stays doing what he's doing in the media or puts his head back on the chopping block (as a head coach). I can only assume there's different levels of stress involved. Nathan is going to have to weigh that up. If Nathan were to declare himself available to coach in 2026, I think Melbourne would hire him."
Nathan Buckley admits interest in Melbourne Demons job
Buckley coached Collingwood from 2012 to 2021, winning 117 games from 218. He stepped down in 2021 after a poor start to the season.
Speaking earlier this week, the 53-year-old said he'd be open to having a conversation with the Demons. Buckley, who took the Magpies to the 2018 grand final, has also been linked to the new Tasmanian team. However he admitted he'd have to weigh up whether he wants to leave the comfort of his media career with Fox Footy and SEN.
'I would take the call,' Buckley admitted on Wednesday when asked what would happen if the Demons contacted him. 'I would have a chat but a lot would have to fall into place to leave this position of comfort I have found.
'It's there (the coaching desire), otherwise it would be an easy no. I can't lie – when yesterday happened I knew this would all come around again.
'Even in yourself this brings a timeline forward again, if you feel like there's a case, if you like the people, if you see the opportunity to make a change and make a difference, then you're going to have to work that out quick smart. I expect the call will come. I will take the next steps as they come.'
Buckley admitted the Melbourne job would be "quite compelling". He added: 'There's a lot that needs to settle. Big club, storeyed history. Experience in the playing group is unquestioned and I like their young group of players as well.
'In that sense, there is a compelling case there, but there's plenty of water to go under the bridge. When it feels right you have to jump. I don't think you have all the answers when you get in that position.
"When I went into coaching it was a blind faith. This is my future and this is what I do, this is the next challenge, this is the next mountain to climb. If I went back into it I wouldn't be doing it the same way. It would be far more conscious and far more considered.'
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AFL world reacts amid Nathan Buckley reports
On Thursday, AFL champion Jason Dunstall said he expects Buckley to get back into coaching sooner rather than later. 'Bucks would take a call from anyone, I would think,' Dunstall said after being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
"I have a feeling he's missing coaching, he loves it and he's so intense about it. I suspect he'll be spoken to by a number of clubs. Next year? I don't know, but he will be in the coaches' box again, I am pretty comfortable of that.'
AFL fans had a mixed reaction to hearing the news that Buckley is the supposed 'favourite' for the Demons job.
The Melbourne job seems more appealing than Tassie
— Aussie Punting Battlers (@puntingbattler) August 8, 2025
They won't pick him.
— Dan (@dpsmith19771) August 8, 2025
Wrong move. Big time.
— Crowster (@BonoboBeau) August 8, 2025
Bucks 💙❤️💙❤️get it done
— Chris31 (@chris31demons) August 8, 2025
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