Buckley was among a host of former AFL players and coaches at a talent camp in Sydney on Wednesday, part of a state-wide bid to pump up junior representation in football.
He was joined by Rohan Smith, Jason McCartney and Neale Daniher, who have been working closely with youngsters at this week's under-15 and under-16 NSW and ACT state zone trials.
Buckley, who retired last season after a stellar 260-game career and nine years as Collingwood's captain, said the proposed new AFL teams will give youngsters in NSW and Queensland unrivalled opportunities in the sport.
"I think the League are very keen to get a couple of licences up and going and obviously the Gold Coast seems to be well on its way," Buckley said.
"Western Sydney is next on the agenda so I'd imagine Queensland and NSW young talent are going to have opportunities perhaps above and beyond the traditional football states.
"Hopefully that means we'll get a lot more interest from young players developing and definitely create opportunities for them."
In Buckley's eyes, the AFL's expansion also does not have to be at the expense of other football codes.
"A lot's been made up on competition between codes but in the end it's just great for kids to have the opportunity to play all sports," he said.
After starting with the failed Brisbane Bears in 1993, Buckley stresses any new team to come into the AFL needs to be competitive to be a success.
"Early on, and the League is very aware of this, I believe you just need to make sure that any new team that is coming in is to be competitive to a certain level," Buckley said.
"You don't expect them to get free picks but I think you'd like to see them at least be competitive and have a structure in place.
"Given they make the right decisions at the right times, within three or four years they'll be playing finals footy."
