At least we weren't embarrassed by Simon Buckley. He's a "former Collingwood" footballer now. "A former Collingwood player with a shocking driving record told a magistrate that his licence was essential in his bid to regain a spot at an AFL club. But moments later, it was again suspended. Simon Buckley yesterday pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended licence and at almost 20km/h above the speed limit in July last year. The 25-year-old defender - delisted by the Magpies in October - told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court he was an unemployed professional footballer and needed his licence to travel to games for his new club, Echuca. He was playing there "in order to regain a spot on a football list". Magistrate Duncan Reynolds said Buckley's prior drink-driving and speeding offences, plus this offence, illustrated his "apparent casual attitude" towards the value of having a licence. Buckley, who represented himself in court, said his licence was suspended last year after he had exceeded the permitted total of demerit points by accepting some of his brother's driving offences. Mr Reynolds warned him that falsely taking the demerit points of others was a serious offence. Prosecutor Senior Constable David Lee said Buckley was detected travelling at 99km/h in an 80km/h zone on the Monash Freeway at Burnley on July 31. Buckley, who played 13 games for the Magpies last season, told police he thought his licence suspension "had been sorted out". He had no reason for exceeding the limit. He was convicted and fined $1800, his licence was suspended for one month, effective immediately, and he was ordered to pay $107 in legal costs. A Collingwood Football Club spokesman said Buckley's delisting was "entirely football-related".
Herald-Sun