The fact that we're still making a big show about announcing the role in prelim week when two of the coaches we're interviewing are still at a live team makes it hard to believe that this result hasn't already been decided.

I'm definitely clutching at straws here, but hear me out. I don't necessarily think Skipworth bowing out of the gig is all that bad. This is a guy who lost to McQualter for the WCE job. McQualter was less than impressive at Melbourne and he's just had the worst season in VFL/AFL history. The term "highly rated assistant" is used far too often. They describe every assistant as "highly-rated" in the AFL media.

Yze, who had 2 or 3 attempts for a senior position lost to Kingsley (3rd consecutive finals series) and Brad Scott (who got alot out of that aging North list). Yze was a good candidate but you can understand why GWS and Essendon went with their choice. Skipworth, on the other hand, being overlooked in favour of another assistant in McQualter isn't exactly a glowing endorsement.

23 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

The fact that we're still making a big show about announcing the role in prelim week when two of the coaches we're interviewing are still at a live team makes it hard to believe that this result hasn't already been decided.

Why? Didn't Yze interview/go to Richmond while we were still live in 2023? If they want a senior role they'll forego a GF as an assistant.

3 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

4 yesterday and another today. I presume Skipworth was supposed to interview today but pulled out.

"A competition source with knowledge of the situation, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Skipworth removed himself from the process as he wanted to continue his development in certain areas under Magpies coach Craig McRae, to whom he is a senior assistant. He is also focusing on his fourth finals campaign at the Magpies as they prepare for the preliminary final next week."

(The Age).

OK, but then why did he agree to be part of the process in the first place? He could have just declined, as others have done.

30 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Honestly, just give it to him and be done with all this drama.

Sooner he starts, the better we can get on the front foot with recruiting.

Or we can take our time and hire the best coach.

Buckley isn’t bringing us any big fish this trade period.

How about our list management team do the list management and we hire a potentially great coach not a mediocre one.

2 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Why? Didn't Yze interview/go to Richmond while we were still live in 2023? If they want a senior role they'll forego a GF as an assistant.

Yeah but it's not like they announced him as coach while we were still alive. Completely different.

3 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

Yeah but it's not like they announced him as coach while we were still alive. Completely different.

If we didn't choke in straight sets they may have 😂

1 minute ago, DeeSpencer said:

Or we can take our time and hire the best coach.

Buckley isn’t bringing us any big fish this trade period.

How about our list management team do the list management and we hire a potentially great coach not a mediocre one.

I don’t want to speak for @dazzledavey36 but I suspect his very accurate point is, if they’ve decided, or they’re pretty sure. Just call it and let’s move on. All signs are pointing one direction.

“The mail is he’s preparing a team ... as you would, you present to the board and go, if I’m your man, I’m gonna bring X, Y and Z,” Gullan explained. “One of the names mentioned has been Marcus Wagner, who he worked with at Collingwood, but interestingly he was at Melbourne until recently in the AFLW program (as the GM of footy) - but left in June I think it was.”

Wagner worked closely with Buckley when the pair were at the Magpies.

8 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

If we didn't choke in straight sets they may have 😂

Pretty sure you can't poach coaches at live clubs, gotta wait for their seasons to be over before officially hiring them. So not sure about that.

Let’s sign up NATHAN BUCKLEY ASAP

Let him sign up his support team and get set for 2026

Buckley will command respect and will have a drive to succeed

He will bring the edge back to the Dees

38 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Or we can take our time and hire the best coach.

Buckley isn’t bringing us any big fish this trade period.

How about our list management team do the list management and we hire a potentially great coach not a mediocre one.

Nah.

Just get him in.

Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that we are trying to pinch one of the greatest exponents of the game to ever play for Collingwood and Port Adelaide

One of the most decorated players to ever pull the boots on.

You name it he's got it. Wake up.

14 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Nah.

Just get him in.

Dont make me agree with DeeSpencer

Finish the interviews - have some sort of process that binds all facets of the club to a unanimous decision so they don’t break and leak at the first 3 game losing streak next year.

So our outgoing interim but don’t call me interim President

Our incoming why isn’t he there already President

Our weirdly late in arriving CEO

And our possibly overridden and outgoing Footy Head

… can all be on one page…

If we get Buckley good chance we get Pies in Opening Round at the G next year.

13 minutes ago, The Jackson FIX said:

If we get Buckley good chance we get Pies in Opening Round at the G next year.

Doubt it. Too close to King’s Birthday

3 minutes ago, Trident22 said:

Doubt it. Too close to King’s Birthday

We've played Collingwood early in the year before.

47 minutes ago, The Jackson FIX said:

If we get Buckley good chance we get Pies in Opening Round at the G next year.

Better t than the last round 2 years in a row

5 hours ago, beelzebub said:

and the last man standing is.......

Ok well...I'll do it as long as Dazzle man is Senior Assistant, and Uncle Bitter is chairman of selectors and after match entertainment coordinator, might give Ghosty a gig as well!

2 hours ago, bing181 said:

"A competition source with knowledge of the situation, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Skipworth removed himself from the process as he wanted to continue his development in certain areas under Magpies coach Craig McRae, to whom he is a senior assistant. He is also focusing on his fourth finals campaign at the Magpies as they prepare for the preliminary final next week."

(The Age).

OK, but then why did he agree to be part of the process in the first place? He could have just declined, as others have done.

Answer because in footys worst kept secret ALL guys pulled out coz they know Bucks has the job!

3 hours ago, Trident22 said:

Doubt it. Too close to King’s Birthday

3-ish months/more than half the season?

Besides, not a huge consideration in modern fixturing.

Woke up feeling a bit low this morning. Read this thread and realised, comparatively, I’m higher than Liam Jurrah in 2010.

6 hours ago, picket fence said:

Answer because in footys worst kept secret ALL guys pulled out coz they know Bucks has the job!

Yup. Bruce, Daly and skipworth not going through the process plus WE told Chaplin not to.

You don’t generally see high quality candidates who want a role not apply or be told not to apply unless there is a reason.

As dazzle said skipworth would be connected to people at Collingwood who know bucks and I’d bet my left arm someone has tapped him on the shoulder and said you’re wasting your time bucks has decided he wants it

WOW Skipworths pulled out too how many’s that?

Geez it’s going to be a [censored] show if Buckley pulls out

8 hours ago, Trident22 said:

Doubt it. Too close to King’s Birthday

There’s a longer gap between Opening Round and KB than between KB and the final round, which is when we’ve played Collingwood the past two years.