Fox Sports has landed the recruit of the off-season, with former Collingwood Football Club player and coach Nathan Buckley joining the Fox Footy commentary team in 2022.
Buckley is one of the AFL’s most decorated players, with a long-running list of accolades from his 280-game playing career. After a further decade as the coach of Collingwood, Buckley will now bring his experience to his new role at Fox Footy.
He will also be united with his former Collingwood club president Eddie McGuire who is part of the Fox Footy team.
“The crew at Fox Footy get the game and relate it well to the viewers, I’m looking forward to being a part of that. There are a lot of well-respected people in the industry and it will be fun to share what is happening and why with the panel and of course the viewers at home,” Buckley said.
“I hope to bring a balance of insight and perspective. AFL footy is a tough caper, I think the industry has developed this idea that things should be a certain way, that coaches, players and umpires are infallible and I’m looking forward to providing a little bit of reality to those expectations.”
Nathan Buckley outside Fox Sports Studio (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images for Fox Footy)
Executive director of Fox Sports Steve Crawley is elated with the appointment of one of the biggest names in the game.
“You bet we’re excited. Nathan Buckley was clearly the best AFL talent out there and now he has a home at Fox Footy. His expert commentary and sheer presence will be a treat for our audience. We can’t wait to see him alongside the likes of Dunstall, Brown, Lyon and Riewoldt,” said Crawley.
Buckley made his playing debut for the Brisbane Bears in 1993 before moving to Collingwood the following season. His natural leadership and respect from peers and coaches saw him announced as captain in 1999, leading his side to two consecutive Grand Finals in 2002 where he won the Norm Smith Medal and 2003 when he also took home the Brownlow Medal.
Buckley has demonstrated he is one of the best media performers in the business, evidenced during his time at Fox Footy on AFL 360’s Coaches Night from 2015 to 2021.
Buckley will be part of Fox Footy’s game-day coverage as well as being featured on the channel’s magazine shows.
See also: Fox Footy secures Jack Riewoldt and Eddie Betts for Final Series