THIS IS THE BEST NEWS WE COULD HOPE FOR: Excitement hits as former head coach Nathan Buckley is announced to join Geelong Cats’ coaching staff

There is genuine buzz and enthusiasm across the Australian football world right now — and with very good reason. The former long‐time coach of Collingwood Magpies, Nathan Buckley, is officially returning to the coaching ranks by joining the Geelong Cats as an assistant coach for the 2026 season. (ABC)

Here’s why this is such big news — and why many are already calling it a win-win for both Buckley and the Cats.

🎯 Why this move matters

A return of a big name

Buckley steps back into coaching after several years away from the AFL sideline, working in media since leaving Collingwood in 2021. (afl.com.au) His pedigree as both player and coach means he brings significant experience and gravitas to Geelong’s coaching group.

A timely boost for Geelong

The Cats are coming off a strong season, but like all clubs, they seek continual improvement. Bringing in someone of Buckley’s calibre signals that the club is serious about staying ahead. From the club’s statement: “He is respected and highly regarded … brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective.” (geelongcats.com.au)

A strategic stepping-stone for Buckley

Although this is an assistant role, for Buckley it appears to be more than just “back in the game”. He’s openly expressed interest in becoming inaugural senior coach of the forthcoming Tasmanian club (Tasmania Devils) when it enters the AFL. (The Queenslander) This move to Geelong can therefore be viewed as a logical bridge between his media career and his next big senior role.

Fresh partnership dynamics

Working under the long-serving senior coach of the Cats, Chris Scott, Buckley steps into a new environment and culture — one that is different to his head-coach stint at Collingwood. He himself has commented:

“It was an interesting discussion … we feel there is a fit there, for what I am passionate about and what I need to do, and where they are at.” (geelongcats.com.au)

So this is not a simple “re-run” of old roles; it’s a reinvention of sorts.

📝 Background & context

• Buckley played 280 AFL games, was a Brownlow medallist and became one of the most prominent figures in the game. (geelongcats.com.au)
• He coached Collingwood from 2012 to 2021, taking them to finals multiple times—including the 2018 Grand Final. (ABC)
• After stepping away from full-time coaching, he worked as a football media analyst. (sen.com.au)
• Earlier this year he was a contender for senior coaching roles (for example at Melbourne), but ultimately they appointed someone else. (ESPN)
• Now, on 14 October 2025, the Geelong Cats announced his appointment as assistant coach for the 2026 season. (ABC)

✅ Why many are calling this “the best news we could hope for”

• For Geelong: They land a coach with proven leadership, deep AFL knowledge and renewed motivation. It strengthens their coaching depth.
• For Buckley: He gets back into elite-level club life, working in a strong environment before possibly stepping into a senior role (Tasmania or elsewhere) later.
• For the game overall: Having senior figures like Buckley return to coaching enriches the competition — his insights, experience and fresh approach elevate standards.
• Symbolically: It signals that a hiatus from coaching needn’t mean the end — reinvention is possible, and big clubs are willing to invest in top-tier coaching talent.

🤔 Things to watch / what this might mean

• Role clarity: It’s been confirmed Buckley will join the coaching panel for 2026, but exactly what he will oversee (midfield? tactics? player development?) is not fully specified. (ESPN)
• Duration and progression: Is this a short-term role or part of a longer trajectory at Geelong? Some commentators suggest it may be a stepping stone to the Tasmania job.
• Impact: Can Buckley translate his playing and media experience into success as an assistant coach in a different club environment?
• Dynamics with Chris Scott: How will two high calibre coaches collaborate? Buckley under Scott is a change of pace from his senior rank at Collingwood.

📰 A suggested opening for your article

The football world collectively exhaled on Tuesday when the Geelong Cats confirmed that former Collingwood Magpies coach Nathan Buckley will join their elite coaching panel for the 2026 season.

After a few years away from the sideline, Buckley’s return marks not just another coaching appointment — it signals ambition, reinvention, and fresh energy. For Geelong, it’s a major coup. For Buckley, it’s a strategically timed step back into the fray. And for the wider AFL community, it’s a bold reminder: the game is alive with movement, new chapters and renewed purpose.

If you like, I can draft the full article for you — complete with headline variations, sub-headings, quotes, and predictions. Would you like me to do that?

• news.com.au