ID :
210008
Wed, 09/28/2011 - 14:01
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/210008
The shortlink copeid
Buckley lures Hart to AFL club Collingwood
SYDNEY (AAP) - 28 SEPT - Collingwood's coach-in-waiting Nathan Buckley has made his first move in preparation for next season with the recruitment of Adelaide assistant Ben Hart.
The four-time All-Australian said he had ambitions to be a senior coach which he felt would be best served by joining Buckley's staff in 2012.
Magpies coach Mick Malthouse, 58, is chasing a second consecutive flag before being replaced by Buckley after Saturday's AFL grand final against Geelong.
Hart's arrival is a boost for the Magpies whose assistant-coaching ranks were thinned earlier this month by midfield coach Mark Neeld's appointment as Melbourne coach.
Two of Buckley's former Collingwood team-mates, Scott Burns (West Coast assistant) and Brenton Sanderson (new Adelaide coach), are also no longer available for 2012.
Malthouse, the 663-game coaching veteran, has agreed to be Collingwood's coaching director in 2012 but only if he likes the job description, which isn't finalised.
Buckley, a former Magpies skipper who has been assistant coach for two years, seems relaxed despite the ongoing uncertainty over power-sharing arrangements.
"I'm not enjoying the role at the moment. I don't think I'll ever enjoy being a coach," Buckley said on Wednesday.
"But it has been a steep learning curve and one I've thoroughly enjoyed.
"I'm looking forward to Saturday and looking forward to fulfilling my role as opposition coach as well as I possibly can, then the rest will come."
Buckley says he's not giving any thought to the enormous challenges he'll face from next week onwards.
"Not when you've got such a big prize in front of you," Buckley said.
The seven-time All-Australian, who played 260 games for Collingwood from 1994-2007, said Malthouse shaped his football life when he took over the wooden spooners at the start of 2000.
"Before Mick came to the football club we were in a bit of strife," Buckley said.
"He instilled a team ethic, he instilled a defensive focus in our game plan, which was needed.
"As a player and as a leader, I was rapt to have that sort of discipline and expectation come into the football club.
"In three short years we were able to play in a grand final. Mick was the catalyst for that.
"It definitely shapes you."
Malthouse's eyes filled with tears on national television last Friday night as his beloved Magpies came from behind to beat Hawthorn by three points in the preliminary final.
It added to the already intense interest in Saturday's final chapter of the 28-year career of the game's second-longest serving coach, trailing only Collingwood great Jock McHale's 714 matches.
But Buckley says the Malthouse factor won't sidetrack the club's focus.
"Mick has been very strong on team over individual," Buckley said.
"Really there has been very little discussion about his situation as such or the fact that this group of players won't be together beyond Saturday.
"It will change in some shape or form, on and off the field.
"We're very aware of that and that's why you want to make the most of these opportunities, for the club primarily but for the individuals who are all a part of it as well."
Malthouse's 12-year legacy with Collingwood is too difficult to assess just yet, according to his successor.
"We hope that the legacy is still yet to be written on Saturday," Buckley said.
The four-time All-Australian said he had ambitions to be a senior coach which he felt would be best served by joining Buckley's staff in 2012.
Magpies coach Mick Malthouse, 58, is chasing a second consecutive flag before being replaced by Buckley after Saturday's AFL grand final against Geelong.
Hart's arrival is a boost for the Magpies whose assistant-coaching ranks were thinned earlier this month by midfield coach Mark Neeld's appointment as Melbourne coach.
Two of Buckley's former Collingwood team-mates, Scott Burns (West Coast assistant) and Brenton Sanderson (new Adelaide coach), are also no longer available for 2012.
Malthouse, the 663-game coaching veteran, has agreed to be Collingwood's coaching director in 2012 but only if he likes the job description, which isn't finalised.
Buckley, a former Magpies skipper who has been assistant coach for two years, seems relaxed despite the ongoing uncertainty over power-sharing arrangements.
"I'm not enjoying the role at the moment. I don't think I'll ever enjoy being a coach," Buckley said on Wednesday.
"But it has been a steep learning curve and one I've thoroughly enjoyed.
"I'm looking forward to Saturday and looking forward to fulfilling my role as opposition coach as well as I possibly can, then the rest will come."
Buckley says he's not giving any thought to the enormous challenges he'll face from next week onwards.
"Not when you've got such a big prize in front of you," Buckley said.
The seven-time All-Australian, who played 260 games for Collingwood from 1994-2007, said Malthouse shaped his football life when he took over the wooden spooners at the start of 2000.
"Before Mick came to the football club we were in a bit of strife," Buckley said.
"He instilled a team ethic, he instilled a defensive focus in our game plan, which was needed.
"As a player and as a leader, I was rapt to have that sort of discipline and expectation come into the football club.
"In three short years we were able to play in a grand final. Mick was the catalyst for that.
"It definitely shapes you."
Malthouse's eyes filled with tears on national television last Friday night as his beloved Magpies came from behind to beat Hawthorn by three points in the preliminary final.
It added to the already intense interest in Saturday's final chapter of the 28-year career of the game's second-longest serving coach, trailing only Collingwood great Jock McHale's 714 matches.
But Buckley says the Malthouse factor won't sidetrack the club's focus.
"Mick has been very strong on team over individual," Buckley said.
"Really there has been very little discussion about his situation as such or the fact that this group of players won't be together beyond Saturday.
"It will change in some shape or form, on and off the field.
"We're very aware of that and that's why you want to make the most of these opportunities, for the club primarily but for the individuals who are all a part of it as well."
Malthouse's 12-year legacy with Collingwood is too difficult to assess just yet, according to his successor.
"We hope that the legacy is still yet to be written on Saturday," Buckley said.
