Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley admits there are fractures between he and Mick Malthouse.
Speaking on SEN’s Whateley this morning, the man who replaced Malthouse as part of a succession plan is well aware the situation has changed their relationship forever.
“Mick and I don’t get on,” Buckley said.
“He doesn’t want to know about me, because I am now an enemy in his eyes. He will rewrite history to make sure that was always the case.
“But I think I understand Mick. He was a young kid scrapping to put that next meal on the plate and that drove him. That was his attitude through his whole life.
“I think understanding that, I can see the positive in who he is and what he has been able to do, let alone the numbers.
“So, we've just got to humanise this, just see people for who they are, respect them for who they are and understand them for who they are.
“I think we will be better off in a bigger sense as much as in our personal dealings.”
Asked if he had a relationship with Malthouse now after a number of shared experiences, Buckley said: “No, I’m one of the bodies on the side of the road.
“I’ve got great respect for Mick in some areas. He’s always been himself. Mick has never really cared for what people think of him.
“He’s rat cunning, a master manipulator and he got success from that. All credit to him.”
Three-time premiership coach and one-time premiership player Malthouse was last night inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.
Listen to Buckley’s chat with Gerard Whateley below: