Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson has thrown up the idea of Nathan Buckley possibly pursuing a coaching role at the Gold Coast Suns should the opportunity arise.
Robinson told SEN's The Run Home that a fresh start away from Melbourne could be the thing that reduces the pressure on the Magpies legend, and may transform him into a successful coach.
“If something happened to Nathan Buckley this year and Rocket (Rodney Eade) didn’t survive next year, if I was the AFL I’d go to Bucks and say ‘Bucks, we would like you to coach up on the Gold Coast,” Robinson said.
Robinson said that the added expectations put on him by the Collingwood community, and president Eddie McGuire, could be the reason why Buckley could consider the change – if he were to be presented with the chance.
“If Bucks could say ‘I’ve got to learn and improve but I love footy and this is what I’ve learned’, then go without that pressure of Collingwood the shadow of McGuire and Mick (Malthouse) or that haunting of the decision (five-year succession plan) and start a fresh," he said.
“It’s a new environment, and just get away from the Collingwood environment and (continue to) lean."
Collingwood will try and turn its form around when it faces the undefeated Geelong this Sunday afternoon at the MCG.