The 2018 Nathan Buckley Debate

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Not sure why we haven't had one this year after having a part 1 and 2 in 2017?

Especially look forward to contributions from Krakouer Magic, Thompsoc and Beast, to name a few.

Not looking for a shit fight. I'm genuinely curious to see if the people, who so passionately wanted him gone, have changed their view?

[David]

I have! Had serious reservations about Buckley, particularly over the last couple of years, but what he’s done with the serious challenges the team has faced this year is pretty extraordinary. Goes to show the general value of sticking with coaches through difficult times; many clubs would have sacked him by now and likely be struggling this year to adjust to a new personality in charge and different gameplan. I’m not saying coaches should never be sacked – some are just a bad fit, or have been around too long and gotten stale – but generally speaking, every year of experience gained makes a coach better than they were before, so showing a little faith in the person with the job invariably pays off.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

I was happy for him to be re-signed but after rd 1 this year, I was very disillusioned and seriously thought, maybe that's it. One more bad loss would have done it and I would've been calling for his head.

[Skids]

[Bleedblackanwhite]

I never wanted Buckley sacked at any stage, but I did realise that if he did not turn things around he would more than likely of been given the flick which I probably wouldn’t of argued against.
I had my fingers crossed the whole time for him.

[thebaldfacts]

All I wanted this year for Bucks was a fair run with injuries.

Truth is, as outsiders, we really don't know who is a good coach. All I wanted was a year where we had a good run with injuries so we could judge Buckley's coaching on its merits.

Sadly, we have been the worst hit with injuries.

Pleasingly, we are 14-7 and sitting in 3rd despite the injuries.

Full credit to Bucks. How long before we open contract negotiations for an extension to his 2 year contract?

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

[Johnno75]

I was happy for him to be gone. My theory was that I didn’t think he did enough on game day when things weren’t going according to plan. Also structurally didn’t like the extra on the ball when they had their extra back, I prefer someone behind the ball. In Round 2 he moved Treloar forward in the 2nd half and in Round 3 he had Dunn behind the ball to stop Adelaide bursting from half back. It was then I believed he had changed in his methods.

[skaman]

Regardless what happens with the rest of the year, Bucks is definately Coach of the year. Amazing what we/ he has done with injury after injury.Bucks has never used it as an excuse. His direction and dedication to “the brand” has been astonishing. Well done Bucks. Great year, hopefully with more to come.

[Collingwood Crackerjack]

Yep, he's done pretty well so far this year

[tbaker]

[Leggie]

Just glad some on here weren't responsible for decisions regarding his tenure.

[Pies2016]

And then there’s that perennial clown who called him Suckley.

[RudeBoy]

I've been a true believer all along. Just hearing Bucks speak, his footy intelligence and commitment to the cause always stood out to me. Like others, however, I was beginning to think that the footy Gods had cursed him with our injury toll, year after year.

I picked us to finish 5th this year, so even I have been super impressed with what Bucks has achieved, especially given our worst ever year for injuries.

To me Bucks is already coach of the year. If we manage to pull off the Flag this year, he should have a statue built in his honour and given a 5 yr contract extension. Overall, I feel honoured that Bucks is our coach, as he has so much class and character.

[Duff Soviet Union]

I think it just goes to show that blaming everything on the coach is usually simplistic.

There were problems in the footy department and they've been radically overhauled, but the actual coach was fine.

Richmond did a similar thing a couple of years ago and have been rewarded for it (in fact, Richmond went from 13th to 1st and were frequently criticised for not having beaten anyone good last year, hmmmmmm). Geelong also didn't fire Bomber Thompson when everyone was calling for his head after 2006 and won two of the next three flags.