3 minutes ago, The heart beats true said:

also, no leaks. Heard it only via the email.

If there were leaks they were pretty good red herrings.

I like it, welcome Steven

Im stunned. I hope Nathan Buckley didnt pull out and King won it.

Anyone recall his game style from his caretaker role at GC?

well at least King comes from a club that has sustained success over a long period, and geelong doesnt put up with bull**** so thats a bonus

al i want is a team that is ruthless from the first bounce to the final siren

Had a 2-5 record at the Suns and Gerard Healy hasn't stopped raving about him since.

5 minutes ago, biggestred said:

yeah
They interviewed 5 people

he was the best

the end

In four days?

How can we appoint a ruckman as coach, what does he know about coaching the mids fwds or backs. At least hell be good for Max.

King has an impressive playing and coaching record.

He may or may not have the 'clout' of Buckley, but that does not really matter. If he can bring all of that experience, footy knowledge, together with the standards clearly evident (yes, with some exceptions, as with any club) at the Cats, we are gonna be just fine.

I think this is a solid appointment. We could very easily have just appointed Buckley as the 'obvious' remaining established coach on the list, but we didn't.

Let's do this. Hoping the Cats go no further than the prelim (because yuck) but also so he can get to work!!!

King has an impressive playing and coaching record.

He may or may not have the 'clout' of Buckley, but that does not really matter. If he can bring all of that experience, footy knowledge, together with the standards clearly evident (yes, with some exceptions, as with any club) at the Cats, we are gonna be just fine.

I think this is a solid appointment. We could very easily have just appointed Buckley as the 'obvious' remaining established coach on the list, but we didn't.

Let's do this. Hoping the Cats go no further than the prelim (because yuck) but also so he can get to work!!!

Here comes the rebuild!

Buckley didn’t impress, was seen as being somewhat reserved as to whether he wanted the job in the same manner as the final four.

For context, I had zero clue that an announcement would be made today regarding the coach.

2 minutes ago, qarocks said:

well at least King comes from a club that has sustained success over a long period, and geelong doesnt put up with bull**** so thats a bonus

al i want is a team that is ruthless from the first bounce to the final siren

Yep! Not only did he play there towards the early part of their 20+ year ridiculous run, but he has also coached there.

Would, and should, certainly know a thing or two about standards and culture.

My suspicion is that Buckley walked after being given a Godfather offer by the AFL.

Imagine if they offered him a 10 year contract at $2m a year and maybe even increasing annually, with no real expectation of a flag, that would be hard to refuse.

Something has happened here, as Bucks was past the post according to various sources and even the media.

Anyway no guarantee he would be successful, so welcome Steven King and keep writing those horror novels.

Whateleys Take:

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was considered a front runner for the gig but Whateley explained that the timing had not married up.

"Nathan Buckley's presence was a curiosity all along as Bucks was interviewing Melbourne as much as they were interviewing him," he said. "Right at the end, he couldn't answer the question if they offered him the job would he take it and I know Tasmania plays a role in that somewhere.

"With Tasmania probably furthering their cause to nail down Buckley as the inaugural coach, I think that clouded the timing. Melbourne wanted to bring it to conclusion today and that didn't marry up with Buckley's discussions with Tasmania."

Bucks has left us standing at the [censored] altar

Edited September 12, 2025Sep 12 by Damo

1 minute ago, Damo said:

Whateleys Take:

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was considered a front runner for the gig but Whateley explained that the timing had not married up.

"Nathan Buckley's presence was a curiosity all along as Bucks was interviewing Melbourne as much as they were interviewing him," he said. "Right at the end, he couldn't answer the question if they offered him the job would he take it and I know Tasmania plays a role in that somewhere.

"With Tasmania probably furthering their cause to nail down Buckley as the inaugural coach, I think that clouded the timing. Melbourne wanted to bring it to conclusion today and that didn't marry up with Buckley's discussions with Tasmania."

If correct we were played big time. What's new

Also arguably cost us the withdrawal of some big names

5 minutes ago, Damo said:

Whateleys Take:

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was considered a front runner for the gig but Whateley explained that the timing had not married up.

"Nathan Buckley's presence was a curiosity all along as Bucks was interviewing Melbourne as much as they were interviewing him," he said. "Right at the end, he couldn't answer the question if they offered him the job would he take it and I know Tasmania plays a role in that somewhere.

"With Tasmania probably furthering their cause to nail down Buckley as the inaugural coach, I think that clouded the timing. Melbourne wanted to bring it to conclusion today and that didn't marry up with Buckley's discussions with Tasmania."

See my post before yours, I reckon I nailed it.

I can smell the AFL all over this.

1 minute ago, Damo said:

Bucks has left us standing at the [censored] alter

I see it differently - if we was non commital then he isn’t for us.

If the others were enthusiastic then they’re for us.

So they sacked Goody without a definite yes from Buckley

seriously, what is with the rush? who cares if it takes an extra week or two if you get the best possible coach?

It seems Nathan had Buckley's chance of being our coach

12 minutes ago, BangBnagBang said:

How can we appoint a ruckman as coach, what does he know about coaching the mids fwds or backs. At least hell be good for Max.

Taking the pi$$??

The only horror I want to see now is that inflicted on our opponents.

It sounds more to me like we decided Buckley wasn’t keen as much as he rejected us. Don’t want a senior coach who isn’t desperate for the gig. Nothing to do now but get behind Steven king, see what sort of team we can put around him and hope for a fun game plan and a bounce back next year