AUSTRALIAN International Rules assistant coach Nathan Buckley has admitted that his involvement in the two test series would give him a good indication of where his own coaching ambitions lie.
However the former Magpie insisted that he would be continuing his media role for at least another year.
“I’ve really enjoyed my 12 months in the media and I’ll be doing that again next year,” Buckley said.
“I suppose dipping the toe in a situation such as this is part of getting a feel for what’s required, where I’m at and what I need to focus on.”
Buckley said that he is excited by his first foray into coaching.
“It’s all brand new to me so there’s an excitement around that. I hope that I can do the best job I possibly can do and help the boys adapt to a game that I know a little bit about. I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Helping the Australian squad adapt to the round ball will be top of Buckley’s list of duties but he is already impressed at how quickly the squad members are becoming accustomed to the foreign shape.
“We’ve had a couple of kicks over the last couple of weeks and it’s no surprise to see that every session the boys get more adept at using the round ball.
“We’ll have the ball in our hands as much as we can during the week. I think that the skills and the different type of kicking required in football today as opposed to 10 years ago actually suits the adaptation to the round ball and I really think that players look like they are getting more comfortable with a round ball in their hands (and adapting) quicker than they did 10 years ago.”
Buckley isn’t the only one enthused by the revival of the compromise game.
“The players see it as something different and they’re excited by it.”
“Both countries want to win these game and both countries will play as hard as they can on the field. When you’re off the field it’s all about taking the opportunity to meet people from different walks of life.
“I know how exciting it was to go over to Ireland as an Australian person and to learn their culture and be a part of that and I’m sure they’re going to experience the same things coming over here.
“So we’ll be as hospitable as we can and look forward to the opportunity to return the favours that we get when we go over there.”------------------------------------------------------------
The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
First Test – Subiaco Oval, Perth, Friday October 24
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.
For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
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