Click here to watch the Nathan Buckley press conference on CTV - part one
One only has to look at Nathan Buckley's list of achievements to understand just how good he was.
Arguably Collingwood’s greatest ever, and certainly the most decorated Magpie of the last 50 years, Buckley came to the retirement decision in recent days after pondering his future following the team’s preliminary final loss.
Flanked by president Eddie McGuire and senior coach Mick Malthouse at a packed media conference at the Lexus Centre on Friday afternoon, Buckley informed the football world of his decision.
It follows a tumultuous 2007 season marred by a series of hamstring injuries, but the 35-year-old defied the odds to make a stunning return in round 21, his first game since the 2006 elimination final, and played the remaining five games of the season, including the club’s three memorable finals.
A draft zone selection by Brisbane after winning the Magarey Medal as the best player in the SANFL in 1992, Buckley played one season in Queensland in 1993, winning the inaugural AFL Rising Star award, before being traded to Collingwood, where he quickly established himself as one of the competition’s finest.
He tied with club legend Gavin Brown for the Copeland Trophy in 1994, his first of six best-and-fairests, and would go on to also be runner-up once and third once.
A seven-time All-Australian, including vice-captain three times, Buckley goes down as the longest-serving captain in Collingwood’s history, having broken Syd Coventry’s record by leading the Magpies for the 154th time in the thrilling victory over Port Adelaide in round 20, 2006. Buckley was first made captain in 1999.
In 2006 he also notched his 250th game, with the club fittingly thrashing Hawthorn in round 17 to mark the occasion.
Buckley led the Magpies to two consecutive Grand Finals in 2002 and 2003, and confirmed his standing as a true big-game player by winning the Norm Smith Medal as best player on the ground, despite the nine-point loss to Brisbane, in the first of those deciders.
In 2003 he tied with Mark Ricciuto and Adam Goodes for the Brownlow Medal, a fitting reward for a player at the absolute peak of his game.
Watching Buckley dominate through the midfield when at the top of his game was like watching a player who was simply a class above all those around him.
Stay tuned to collingwoodfc.com.au for complete coverage of Buckley's retirement.
