AFL News

Collingwood honour favourite son Nathan Buckley

“We are so pleased to unveil an exhibition of one of our club greats.”

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Collingwood will unveil a new exhibition at the AIA Centre's museum to honour club legend Nathan Buckley.

Coined 'Nathan Buckley Magpie Legend' by the club, the Pies will put on a spectacle of what Buckley achieved through his playing days, namely key pieces of memorabilia he once owned.

The 2003 Brownlow medallist sold most of his eye-catching relics in May, snagging almost $200,000, according to The Nightly.

Most of those items will now be seen in Collingwood's museum, with club president Jeff Browne putting them all on display.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley looks upfield during the Round 15 AFL match between Collingwood v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

"We are so pleased to unveil an exhibition of one of our club greats, and we welcome Nathan and his family back to our Club," Browne said.

"Nathan has left a historic mark on our Club as both a player and coach, and this exhibition allows us all to reflect and celebrate his contribution, that will be remembered for many lifetimes to follow.

"With over 100 items on display, our Members and supporters and the whole AFL community is able to enjoy one of the largest AFL player collections at our Club's Museum.

"We sincerely thank Nathan for his generous donation to our Club and look forward to welcoming everyone to the exhibition over the coming year."

Buckley played 260 games for Collingwood between 1994 and 2007, claiming a Brownlow Medal (2003), Norm Smith Medal (2002), AFLCA Player of the Year (2003), seven All-Australian blazers (1996-2001, 2003), AFL Rising Star (1993), six Copeland Trophies (1994, 1996, 1998-2000, 2003) and captained the powerhouse club.

He also returned to coach the Pies, learning from great Michael Malthouse before taking the reins in 2012 for 10 years.

The premiership medallion alluded Buckley on multiple occasions, losing two deciders as a player and one as a coach.

What the Nathan Buckley Exhibition will offer

(As per Collingwood release)

  • A portrait done by one of Australia's leading portrait painters, Robert ‘Alfie' Hannaford.
  • Buckley's 2003 Brownlow Medal and the accompanying certificate.
  • Buckley's 2002 Grand Final guernsey and the Norm Smith Medal he won while wearing it.
  • A range of other guernseys worn by Buckley from the 1990s through to the end of his career.
  • Buckley's Copeland Trophies and All-Australian awards.
  • Buckley's Collingwood Life Membership and Australian Football Hall of Fame certificates.
  • Match balls from Buckley's 200th and 250th games.
  • Various other trophies and awards, including his Coach of the Year award from 2018.
  • Five pairs of boots from different years, including one pair with ‘Bucks' on the tongue that he refused to wear because he didn't like the personalisation.
  • Variety of other player clothing, including jackets, shorts, socks and training tops.
  • A kitbag from the early 2000s.
  • Items from Buckley's time with the Australian team for the International Rules series against Ireland and also his brief stints with Williamstown in the VFL.
  • A range of supporter merchandise and memorabilia illustrating just how popular he was with Magpie fans.
  • The jumper Buckley wore while playing for the Northern Territory Football League representative team against Geelong in 1992.
  • A superb action painting by Jamie Cooper.
  • Four different video packages, plus photographic slideshows highlighting different aspects of Buckley's career.
Published by
Aidan Cellini