1 minute ago, MurDoc516 said:

One thing I saw mentioned in this thread which has concerned me a bit, is that he is sounding out his old assistants. Get 1 or 2 in sure, but I think as a club we need to enforce that we want the best assistants available. Jobs for mates always bothers me.

Yes. We don't want the same coaching team that failed to win a premiership at Collingwood.

Edited August 9Aug 9 by lorn

3 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

It maybe an overly complicated solution, but we could have Bucks come in as a head coach for 1-2 years, and then have a transition plan to another coach such as Daly.

“We’d like your experience for a couple of years please Nathan but then we’d like someone’s Grandpa to take the reins once he’s learned the ropes got some more confidence”.

One of the more left field (like 800km past left field) ideas I’ve heard.

58 minutes ago, binman said:

My take on the next coach:

Short version:

Despite my misgivings about Buckley i think appointing him coach would be a good move and i'll fully back him in if they do.

Long version:

I'm ambivalent about Buckley. He was a famously defensive coach that, yes came close to a flag but was sacked on the back of a woeful season and his replacement turned much the same list into a competitive unit immediately.

And the knock on him as a coach was that he wasn't a great manager of people and had a propensity to judge others by the myopic, hyper driven standards he set for himself as a player.

Add to that I've never much liked him.

Against those misgivings i think the following counter arguments hold significant weight:

• Personally i think we need to go with an experienced coach like Buckley or Longmire that has gravitas and would not need to 'earn' the respect of players the way any new coach would

• I agree with Goodwin and Langdon that we're actually not far away from being a contender again, meaning we are not in full rebuild mode - a scenario that suits an experienced coach

• (on that point, the fact that Buckley is even interested suggests he also believes we are not far from being a contender - no chance he is up for years long rebuild like McQualter and Yze)

• An experienced candidate like Buckley or Longmire would also have the power, within limits, to call the shots on key hiring and firing decisions which will be important as we need a broom

• Buckley would demand veto on assistant coaches and no doubt create his own team of line coaches, something that i think is very much needed (ie new assistant coaches)

• I think some tough calls also need to me made about our high performance program - Bucks, who was ahead of his time on the fitness front, will have firm views in that space and I suspect would drive change

• It is reasonable to think Mcrae built on the foundation Buckley built - I think that's particularly true in regards to driving training standards

• They were clearly already a super fit team when Mcrae took over and their success under Mcrae's would simply not have been possible without that base given his method is so aerobically taxing

• Landing Buckley soon would go a long way to assuage my concerns the executive made an ill considered, vibe based decision to both sack goody and do so three games from the end of the season

• Many have noted Buckley has mellowed and he himself has acknowledged he has to chill a bit in terms of his interactions with players, particularly those that are perhaps less driven than he was as a player

• He was on a bit of a hiding to nothing at the Pies as the whole legend player becomes coach of their team narrative arc often has an unhappy ending (Voss being one such example)

• Buckley is unquestionably a good media operator and whilst it would be great if that wasn't such an important KPI for s senior coach the reality is it is - particularly for a club that has relied on the senior coach and captain to front the media for the last three years

So, all things considered I hope we land Buckley and I'll fully back him in if they do.

There would certainly be an irony in Buckley coming in and having immediate success with a team that had struggled in the previous two seasons.

By the by, in terms of choosing bucks, or indeed any coach, I'm of the view that whilst the coach is of course important the impact of an AFL coach is hugely over rated.

I'm more concerned the clubs sorts its governance and get the high performance stuff right.

Some good points about Buckley’s history at Collingwood.

I know this might be wildly unpopular here, but McRae built the current Collingwood side around a game plan with Nick Daicos at the heart of it. Whether folks agree or not Nick is the best player in the league, and his consistency in his first 90 odd games is unbelievable. He suits the game plan, so much so that if you take him out of it I think Collingwood is mid tear (which they may be this year anyway).

I think Bucks was a tired voice at Collingwood, but I think putting Daicos into most sides, and adopting a fast moving game style, would make all teams 6-8 spots better on the ladder. I hate to say it but he is that consistently good.

I also liked Nathan’s ability to absorb football nonsense at Collingwood. I remember when Malthouse was openly critical of the game plan (which was just sour grapes) Buckley went out of his way to say he agreed with Malthouse and he’d be mad not to listen to someone with as much knowledge. He can play the media game better than most.

3 hours ago, Eelesie said:

I am sure it's been mention here, but a wider change to coaching staff needs to be considered. Pretty happy with Chaplin, but I cannot for the life of me fathom how Stafford is still there...

And I thought the whole Lazarus thing was a miracle. Now the Deez are pulling the same stunt.

caro's article again conflated and connected completely unrelated things

but to say the club is not settled off field is true - it's settled, it's just that guerra and smith have not STARTED in the ceo and president positions

so caro [censored] on the mfc in her latest op ed, what's new...

but buried amongst the 'how could figjam pick the demons over the devils?!??' are these nuggets about how taswegia are going to get even better assistance than gc17 and gw$:

On the negative side, the AFL Commission on Friday delayed the final call on draft and list concessions for the Devils until the end of September. But on the positive, those concessions will far outweigh what was afforded the Gold Coast and even GWS back in 2010 and 2011.

<snip>

Tasmania look certain to be granted a raft of first-round draft picks at the end of 2027 – the national draft will be held in Tasmania – including picks one, three, five, seven, nine, 11 and 13 along with the 10 best 17-year-olds in Australia, who can be taken over the first two years of the team’s life. They will also be able to hand out sign-on bonuses totalling an estimated $1 million for proven stars. Although the Devils will be forced to trade some high picks, they get to keep pick No.1 and will have access to father-sons from their home state and academy players.

that confirms some of the devil in the detail

4 minutes ago, lorn said:

Yes. We don't want the same coaching team that failed at Collingwood.

Yep. Those failures that got them to within 60 seconds of a flag.

1 minute ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Yep. Those failures that got them to within 60 seconds of a flag.

It's still zero premierships

On 05/08/2025 at 16:54, Supreme_Demon said:

John Longmire is the top priority to ask.

But is he cooked?

Grand Final losses in 2014, 2016, 2022 and 2024 means he panics when the pressure is it's highest.

Justin Leppitsch is also a dark horse who might throw his hat in the ring.

I guess it depends who WANTS to coach the Melbourne Demons?

2012 flag

2014 lost to terrific Hawks team

2016 Swans got crucified by the umpires

2022 Swans made GF ahead of time

2024 poor

Vs Leppitsch record as coach

Buckley and one of the highly rated assistants., would be ideal.

A Buckley appointment would probably help attract players and even some additional sponsors. He is a respected figure in the AFL.

I also think he can get the best out of Clayton and Trac. They will have to prove themselves to him, which can only help us.

There are some really good assistants still at Collingwood who Buckley has a good relationship with including Skipworth and Boyd. They would be two great acquisitions to come across with him and probably destabilise the Pies at the same time!

A good outcome could be:

Bucks: Head coach

Boyd: Defensive Coach

Skipworth: Midfield Coach

Chaplin: forwards coach

3 hours ago, Sideshow Bob said:

Its not just any club though hey.

A club waiting for a no footy experience CEO, waiting for the pres to start, generally on the nose with the media, home base issues, a leaky and factioned board, whipping boy for head office to change rules via the tribunal.....

A newbie won't cut it (or at least is very unlikely to) The head coach position is far far more than just coaching - he(or she) will instantly become the figure head of this footy club - the face that represents every facets going forwards. It requires an unwavering approach in the face of every piece of [censored] that gets thrown at it from the media, a seasoned coach with super strong links at head office, the media and has the gravitas to inspire our current underperforming stars and attract new actual talent not just the scraps that no one else wants. It 100% HAS to be one of Buckley, Longmire, Simpson or Hinkley.

I am now absolutely convinced Buckley is the right man for the job

BUCKLEY would know who and where the worms are...

Hiring Buckley would end in disaster. It's a move desperate boards of poor teams make (see St Kilda with Ross Lyon).

He's Collingwood's Goodwin equivalent. It'd be a sign that our board is looking to the past, not the future.

Also, the idea that because he's scoping out potential assistants means the job is his is totally false. Adam Simpson discussed this during the week - all coaches who are planning to throw their hat in the ring will be doing the same thing, if they haven't already done so.

Edited August 9Aug 9 by Davos

10 minutes ago, lorn said:

It's still zero premierships

I’d take Buckley

Very good coach

Very good in front of the media

Will be respected day one by the players

No shi@ attitude with the board & a very high level of professionalism on & off the field

Exactly what we need

Will make the he club relevant again

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

We are a basket case. This is essentially what it means.

11 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

There are some really good assistants still at Collingwood who Buckley has a good relationship with including Skipworth and Boyd. They would be two great acquisitions to come across with him and probably destabilise the Pies at the same time!

A good outcome could be:

Bucks: Head coach

Boyd: Defensive Coach

Skipworth: Midfield Coach

Chaplin: forwards coach

We need a new forward coach. Chaplin is either the backline coach or he’s shipped. We desperately need a specialist forward coach to teach the forwards some craft.

2 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

We are a basket case. This is essentially what it means.

Exactly & that’s why we have to go with an experienced coach, could you imagine a Skipworth or Cam Bruce having to deal with all the rubbish before even coaching a game

25 minutes ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Yep. Those failures that got them to within 60 seconds of a flag.

Yes credit to the Weagles for the win.. Sheed probably couldn't replicate that kick... what a pearler... Bucks was far from disgraced.... bit unlucky but only ever one winner. ( but shame it wasn't the Pies ... yuck yuck yuck )

5 minutes ago, Heart Beats True said:

We need a new forward coach. Chaplin is either the backline coach or he’s shipped. We desperately need a specialist forward coach to teach the forwards some craft.

Brad Miller. Maybe he can smuggle Mac Andrew with him.

Just now, Heart Beats True said:

We need a new forward coach. Chaplin is either the backline coach or he’s shipped. We desperately need a specialist forward coach to teach the forwards some craft.

Chaplin was forwards coach in 2018 where we were the number 1 scoring team.

I'm not against getting someone different but he's a highly regarded senior assistant and wants to stay at the club.

All through my working life I was always amazed at the number of extroverts that knew how to say all the right things at the right time and they inevitably got the ‘job’.

When they came on board and people scratched a little deeper, in a lot of instances they were found out to be as deep as a puddle in a desert.

Actions speak louder than words.

Buckley appears to be a front runner. If he gets the job I just hope that he is not one of those kind of extroverts. Time will tell.

On 06/08/2025 at 13:55, whatwhat say what said:

buckley's comments screamed 'come and get me' to me

personally, i'd like a proper process please

we ain't carlton or st. kilda

even the filth went through a proper interview set-up to land fly

We did that once before and chose Bailey over Sheedy.

Lmao, who gives an f about Buckley not having coached a flag.. he would have been a premiership coach if it weren’t for that perfect Dom Sheed free kick that resulted in goal.

Numbers wise, he’s pretty on par (55-ish% win record) with Goodwin, if not better when you consider how he was only one of a few coaches who would tactically outshine Goodwin during our good runs, hence our horrific record against them. I still remember how they thrashed us in 2018 when we were on that 6-7 match winning streak.

He would have learnt a lot and also possesses an aura that would hopefully attract good talent in spite of being homeless without a proper training facility. Good speaker and communicator and his analysis work on Fox is first class.

Would be more than happy for Buckley to come in and take the reins.

Edited August 9Aug 9 by VNightCityLegend

On 06/08/2025 at 16:04, Superunknown said:

I’m unsure if we should get Buckley but if we do and he gets a flag with us it’ll totally be worth it to see the Filth contorted into squirming, squally rage.

Would also be worth it for some inside intel on Pies players that may see us stop being their bunnies. Next Kings Bday game would be huge.

On 07/08/2025 at 07:41, RedFox said:

Does the mental fragility displayed by his playing group in not one, but four, grand finals concern you?

2016 wasn't so much mental fragility as being ribbed by the umps for the fairytale Dogs win.

21 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

We did that once before and chose Bailey over Sheedy.

sheedy would have been a great figurehead; the equivalent of roos coming in, but even his handover at gw$ was messy as it gets, with choco williams promised the role and then sheedy reneged on their agreement

he would have been a handful that our club would have been incapable of handling given how much of a mess we were

his coaching in the last few years at the peptides left a lot to be desired

parachuting buckley in is more like the baggers bringing in malthouse

if he wants to go through the proper process, he should go for it

he should not ben anointed