The former Collingwood champion is BUCKLEY’s chance to train under siege in North Melbourne, although he was spotted strolling with Kangaroos CEO Ben Amarfio
- Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley was spotted walking with Amarfio
- Buckley has been associated with coaching roles at GWS and the Roos
- North Melbourne CEO says Buckley never had a real chance to perform
Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley has been spotted enjoying a leisurely stroll with Under Siege Kangaroos CEO Ben Amarfio – but the former trainer stands no chance of pouncing on the one AFL Vacancy North Melbourne top dog.
A tweeted The photo of the pair took to social media on Friday morning, igniting a flame Buckley once staunchly denied.
Former Collingwood manager Nathan Buckley and North Melbourne CEO Ben Amarfio were spotted walking together on Friday morning
The Kangaroos had a miserable season, sitting bottom with four match points – just one win in 16 games.
After just 36 games at the helm of North Melbourne, coach David Noble was shown the door this week, becoming the third manager to leave the club in as many years.
Chief Executive Amarfio said his relationship with Buckley is purely friendly and will not result in an appearance at the Roos.
“Nathan has no interest in coaching. I knew that before we went for a walk [on Friday]’ said the ex-cricket manager News Corp.
Kangaroos CEO Ben Amarfio speaks to the media following his signing by the club in December 2019
Buckley and Amarfio are believed to be friends and have become closer since the CEO was installed in North Melbourne in 2019.
Buckley, 49, quit his position as head coach with the Magpies in 2021 after nearly a decade at the club with a record 112 wins, 92 losses and two draws.
The AFL legend now works alongside SEN Radio as a media personality on the Fox footy show Best on Ground.
‘Nup. Next year I will not train. I enjoy it [being] too much on this couch,” Buckley said in May.
“In the moment, after having the off-game time and enjoying the space I was in with Fox and SEN without the stress and pressure of coaching, I really enjoyed myself and the situations I found myself in .’
The former 260-game pie, who played for the club between 1994 and 2007, has been linked with a GWS coaching role which could see him joining the growing Sydney side in 2024.
Nathan Buckley speaks to Scott Pendlebury during a clash against the Adelaide Power in 2021, the year he stepped down as head coach after nearly a decade
North Melbourne maintain a marquee list of candidates for the vacant position, with former Hawks coach and four-time Premier League winner Alastair Clarkson at the top of the clipboard.
Noble was immediately ousted after the Kangaroos failed to capitalize on a 26-point lead against Collingwood last week, with the loss taking their season points to 1,731.
Another contender is Ross Lyon, who kangaroo David King believes should be the top priority.
Lyon coached 305 games between St Kilda and Fremantle and appeared in eight finals series, all within 13 years around the coaching system.
Ross Lyon (left) looks on at his St Kilda side’s training session in 2010 ahead of the Grand Final against Collingwood
Lyon left an offer at North Melbourne in late 2020 and turned down a role at Carlton last year. He said he’s enjoying his time away from club responsibilities.
Earlier in the week, Hawks great Jordan Lewis called the club “weak organization” and said the club must hold on to their coach beyond 30 games.
