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2005:
The skipper returned to his best form in the big victory over the
struggling Hawthorn, playing a major role in the win. He then played
on his Geelong nemesis Cameron Ling in round 15, with both players
breaking even in the most recent chapter of their ongoing battle.
Two weeks later, Buckley was the Bets on Ground at Telstra Dome against
the Western Bulldogs, picking up 31 possessions, and helping his side
pull away from the hardworking Dogs. The reigning Brownlow Medallist
was solid in the one point win over the Tigers, before playing in
the unusual position of centre half forward against Port Adelaide
in round 21, where he improved as the game wore on. At the Copeland
Trophy evening after the season, Coach Malthouse stated that Buckley
had played out the year with a broken foot. Buckley had a terrific
pre-season in the lead up to 2005, looking fitter then ever in his
career.
2004:
One of the superstars of modern football, Nathan Buckle finally added
the coveted Brownlow Medal to his already impressive CV in 2003. And
after years of little or no success, Buckley – and Collingwood
– is finally experiencing finals joy.
Buckley’s football career started up in Darwin, when he was
only a child. His father, Ray, moved around the country as a football
coach. Nathan soon found himself smaller then many of the other players
in his competition.
He then took up tennis for a few years, something that he became so
good at that when he tore his hamstring in a freak accident on a jetty,
he feared his career might be over. He then took up footy again, moving
down to the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL under 19 competition,
where he constantly played off the bench, and not getting as much
of a go as he would have liked.
Then, in a move which kick started his career, Buckley was promoted
off the bench when a star player was injured. Buckley played his best
football since he was a junior, and won his place in the side for
the future. The next season, 2002, was the year where Buckley became
the next big thing. He won the Margery Medal, as well as playing in
the Port Adelaide premiership against Glenelg, where he won the Jack
Otey Medal, as the best player on the ground.
Buckley was then sought after by all AFL clubs, with Collingwood,
Geelong and North Melbourne leading the chase for Bucks. But Brisbane
threw a wildcard into the pack, with the AFL rules stating that they
were to have at least 12 Northern Territory born players, and Buckley,
having played his early football in the territory, was selected to
join the Bears for season 1993.
Buckley exceeded all expectations, in coming equal fourth in the Brownlow
Medal, and winning the Norwich Rising Star award for the best player
less than 21 years of age. He was again highly sort after by all Victorian
clubs, when he signalled his intensions to play football in its homeland.
Collingwood again made a strong play for his services, and were rewarded
when he accepted their offer.1994 was an exceptional season for Bucks,
who tied for the Copeland Trophy, along with skipper Gavin Brown.
1995 was not Bucks’ best season, although he was still good
enough to finish 4th in the Best and Fairest. 1996 was a solid season
for Bucks, who won his second Best and Fairest, as well as getting
in the All-Australian side for the first time, where he stayed until
2001. 1997 was another good season for Bucks, who finished runner
up in the Copeland to Gavin Brown, and played his 100th game, in which
he collected 43 possessions. 1998 saw Buckley finish 2nd in the Brownlow
Medal to Robert Harvey, as well as winning the Best and Fairest.
1999 was an unsuccessful season for Collingwood – Buckley’s
first as captain – when it finished last for only the second
time in its illustrious history. In the round two clash with Carlton,
Buckley broke his jaw after an incident with Justin Murphy, which
forced him to miss the next 5 weeks. Buckley still recovered to play
at his best, despite missing out on the Brownlow, finishing in 3rd
position.
2000 was a quiet season for Buckley, who, along with Collingwood,
started off with a bang, as the Pies wont heir first five games and
Buckley figured in the best payers in each one of them. After that,
Buckley tapered off, with a nagging knee injury, which plagued him
throughout the season .
2001 was a good season for Buckley, who was again a solid leader In
round 2 against Fremantle at Colonial Stadium, Buckley gathered 46
possessions and 2 goals, seeing his side to victory.
2002 was strange season for Buckley, who missed out of the All-Australian
side for the first time since 1996. But Buckley still rose to the
occasion when it counted, such as the 2002 Grand Final, where he won
the Norm Smith Medal, for being best afield on the biggest day of
the football year. Sadly for Buckley, Collingwood went down to Brisbane
by only 9 points, in one of the most courageous performances of the
season. After coming so close to the Holy Grail in 2002, Buckley was
determined to hit back in 2003.
He was true to his word, as he played out his best season to date.
But on the final Saturday in September, Buckley and his team lost
their way, going down by 50 points. Although Buckley tried hard he
could not over come the pressure of tagger Robert Copeland who dampened
Buckley’s influence.
So far in 2004, Buckley’s season has been a disaster, with multiple
hamstring injuries. Early in the season, the sight of Buckley carrying
the midfield load reminded many a Magpie fan of the late nineties,
when Buckley would consistently carry the side. After injuring his
hamstring in Round 3 against Brisbane, Buckley missed the next three
weeks but on return against Carlton in round seven, tragedy struck
for the Magpie skipper when early on in the second quarter his troublesome
hamstring gave way when attempting a tackle. Buckley would remain
sidelined until the Queens Birthday match in round 12 against Melbourne.
With the side depleted by injury, Buckley was played as a forward
in the absence of forward targets Anthony Rocca and Chris Tarrant
and performed admirably as his side went down by 9 points.
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