Buckley admits the fiery half-back struggled in last week's win over Adelaide but says he has no concerns about seeing the 165-game veteran involved in arguments with teammates.
"He had a poor game," Buckley said.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve.
"When he's disappointed you know about it. When he's happy you know about it.
"Managing that is not difficult because we know his intentions are for the betterment of the team.
"I'm glad it continues to mean something to him.
"If he was flat and lifeless and didn't give anything I'd be worried."
Buckley has guided the Magpies to seventh spot after 16 rounds, despite a wave of injuries and an avalanche of media speculation that the second-year coach's methods had met with strong resistance from players such as 2010 premiership trio Shaw, Dane Swan and Ben Johnson.
However, he said characters make a football club and, following the retirement of Johnson, he hoped the club had "other little Ben Johnsons to pop up with the same passion and drive that he had".
Buckley said reigning club champion Dayne Beams was in good shape for Saturday's clash with Gold Coast after playing his first senior game of an injury-interrupted season, claiming 25 disposals against Adelaide.
