Buckley's weekly interview with Gerard Whateley in 2019

[Woods]

Topics covered in this morning’s interview:

AFL’s knee-jerk change to the Studs Up rule. Buckley: “Common sense has prevailed”. Reflects on Darcy Moore getting injured with sprig marks on his torso from a Jack Riewoldt marking attempt earlier this year.

Hawks meeting with GWS’ Stephen Coniglio and its comparison to Buckley’s previous in-season meeting with Tom Lynch. Buckley: Coniglio is entitled to assess his best choices for his future. Players seek three things - financial benefit, successful career, and happiness.

Last weekend’s games. Buckley: “A lot of focus on what happens at the death”. Comments on Richmond and West Coast performances - “a quality game of football”.

How’s Collingwood travelling towards finals? “Players feeling it”. “In a very similar position to last year”. Darcy Moore will be available if gets through training tomorrow. DeGoey, Stephenson will be ready for finals.

Jarryd Roughead’s farewell game. “A great moment”. Buckley gives his views on the working life of an AFL footy player.

Whateley ends interview with question about which teams Buckley would prefer to face in the finals. Buckley doesn’t bite.

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=415247

[Woods]

This morning’s interview focused on:

All Australian team - selecting best team vs best players. Buckley: “No right answers”. Long discussion about team make-up including a detailed look at Pendlebury’s return to All Australian selection and his forthcoming 300th game (“a remarkable career”), and the Gawn vs Grundy rivalry for No. 1 ruckman status.

Whateley asks Buckley why he participated in new film ‘The Australian Dream’ about Adam Goodes’ career. Buckley recounts his days growing up in Darwin, and feeling “a little bit of guilt” about Goodes. Compares Australia with NZ re indigenous relations. “I don’t profess to know him”.

Darcy Moore’s availability for final vs Geelong? Buckley: “Darce will play”, and is “in the process of getting his mind, body and spirit absolutely ready to perform on the night”.

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=418967

[Woods]

Topics covered in this morning’s interview:

The art of team selection for finals. Buckley: “Have to know yourself really well before you can make the right decisions”. A lot of 52/48 decisions. Not selecting for the finals series, selecting for the next game. Will take in the best balanced side against Geelong on Friday night.

Are finals different?: Tension, intensity is higher “if you want to buy into that”. There are evident ‘big moments’ in finals and others that are less visible. Players remember all of them - the public doesn’t. Buckley gives examples from his playing days.

How vividly does your career live with you? Buckley: “Always loved footy”. Was a harsh self-critic. In time remembered more of the team dynamic and how he felt at the time.

Discussion about the new doco Collingwood: From the Inside Out (TV premiere tonight on ABC at 9:30pm Melbourne time - check local TV guides for broadcast times elsewhere).

Player expectations going into finals? Buckley tells them: “Aim a little higher” than last year, but don’t reinvent yourself.

The AFL’s new video review centre, The Arc. Buckley reflects on the impact of score review mistakes during the H&A season. “If we’re going to open this Pandora’s Box we better get it sorted”.

Steve Waugh returning to mentor the Ashes cricket side. Buckley says players respond well to hearing from those who have been through their circumstances before them.

Interview ends with Whateley (a Geelong supporter) saying “Good luck”, and Buckley quipping, “Do you mean that?”

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=420758
(Long, cricket focused opening monologue by Whateley - skip forward 4:30 to find the intro to the Buckley interview)

[BBHS]

Cheers Woods - Always read your preview before I chose to burn my ears with Whately drivel.

[David]

Thanks Woods! Always enjoy these.

[Hm]

Buckley had a go at the score review and said what if that incorrect review meant we didn't get the double chance, that changes a season. He said if we hadn't made the 4 in the end he would have not mentioned it as it would be a distraction.

[David]

^ True, though ultimately he was the one defending the system (whereas Whateley doesn't like it) – as Buckley pointed out, if it only gets it right some of the time, that's still an improvement on nothing.

[Hm]

Didn't Buckley also say "the team picked itself" Not sure what that means except JDG, Stephenson, Sidebottom, Moore are automatic

[PyreneesPie]

[Woods]

^^^
Thanks. Looking forward to writing the talking points from the post-GF victory interview in a few weeks time.
Go Pies.

[PyreneesPie]

[Woods]

The first part of this morning’s interview was devoted to talking about the legacy of Danny Frawley who died yesterday (listing talking points on Buckley’s emotional recollections and tribute not really appropriate here - best to listen for yourself).

Just a few closing minutes were spent talking about last weekend’s game and the finals path ahead.

Buckley mentions opportunities and threats arising from the weekend’s footy.

He said Geelong showed grit through 2nd half of the game. “We played particularly well to get our lead early, and played particularly well to keep it.”

On De Goey, Buckley said he injured his hamstring in first few minutes of the game, felt tightness, then played on for 40+ minutes before coming off. Internal bleeding resulted. Says the German doctor is just one of many medicos worldwide who claim guru status re. treating hamstring injuries. A “hail Mary” if De Goey plays in the GF.

Buckley (+ son) and the Pies’ opposition coaches are flying to Brisbane to watch/study elimination final live.

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=423476

EDIT: changed Prelim to GF.

[toovmeister]

Bucks actually said it's a hail mary for de goey to play in the GF. We won't be seeing him again this year

[Woods]

[RudeBoy]

It was worrying to hear that Jordy actually tore his hamstring playing on. Originally it was reported that he had a hamstring strain, but a tear is more serious. I'm no expert, but I'd be amazed now if Jordy was able to play again this year.