Nathan Buckley retires

[the joker]

another injury in the Prelim against geelong forces bucks retirement

[blink]

another injury in the Prelim against geelong forces bucks retirement

Is this actually confirmed now?

Or just rumors still?

[blink]

Nope I was wrong it is confirmed:

Buckley Retires

Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley has decided to hang up his boots.

The all-time Magpies great announced the decision at the club's headquarters at the Lexus Centre moments ago.

He was joined by coach Mick Malthouse and CEO Eddie McGuire.

The 35-year-old said he made the final decision this week.

He said he was feeling "a bit numb" but beleived he had made the right decision.

"Over the last couple of weeks the mind has been going all over place - should I or should I not - but I'm committed in my mind to the decision I've made," he said.

The Age reported yesterday that the Pies' skipper had again tweaked his troublesome hamstring during the team's five-point preliminary final loss to Geelong.

As a result, Buckley was forced to sit out the dying stages of the match on the bench and would almost certainly have missed the grand final had Collingwood won the match.

The star recently said that he has the desire to play but suggested his body might have other plans.

Buckley won the Norm Smith medal in Collingwood's grand final loss to brisbane in 2002, the Brownlow Medal in 2003 and was the Pies' best and fairest six times.

[woodwt]

well done bucks!

[rod_rooster]

Well done on knowing it was the right time. He would have been doing himself an injustice had he gone on next year. If the desire to play is still there it would be hard to give it away and it would have been a tough decision for him to make but it was the right one. Well done on a fine career.

[DemonGirl]

Oh well done Bucks on a great career then! Always had a soft spot for him lol seeing as he played for Port Adelaide!!! haha

[the joker]

In the press conference he said he hasent been fully fit since midway through 2003 season. 4 and half seasons with doubts on your body isnt very good is it.

[heater31]

I will always chuckle at his reasons for moving to the pies.........................

but the time is right stuff all games in your final season has to be saying something to you

[Dirko]

Well played Bucks. I wonder if he has any regrets about leaving Brisbane and then watching them win three flags?
Great player though and one I'm glad won't play against Carlton again...

[silicone skyline]

Is there a tally of all the legends who retired this year?

[Dirko]

Is there a tally of all the legends who retired this year?

Yeah this has got most on
http://safooty.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10032

Probably wait until the PSD etc then post a FULL LIST of all the blokes gone..

[Hondo]

Well played Bucks. I wonder if he has any regrets about leaving Brisbane and then watching them win three flags?
Great player though and one I'm glad won't play against Carlton again...

If he hadn't have left then either Chris or Brad Scott (can't remember which one) would never have played for Brisbane

Well done Bucks on a great career

[Blue Boy]

Well done Fig-jam enjoyed watchin you play !!!

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Magarey Medal, Brownlow Medal, Norm Smith Medal in a losing Grand Final,
...to which Brisbane can rub it in for him leaving the Bears
SANFL Premiership player (pity it was against Glenelg in 1992)
The very first recipient of the AFL 'Rising Star Award'
I loved to 'boo' the bloke but in retrospect he was one of the best players of this era!

[Magpiespower]

Well played Bucks. I wonder if he has any regrets about leaving Brisbane and then watching them win three flags?

Seriously doubt it.

He only ever wanted to play for Collingwood in the AFL.

Loved to cheer him when he played for Port.

Loved to boo him when he played for Collingwood.

But always admired him as a footballer.

No doubt a media career awaits...

[sydney-dog]

Bucks was definitely a player all opposition supporters would love to boo, however, would also love to have at their club.....

all the best, coaching now awaits Buckley.. the next Collingwood coach, when Micky gives it away

[mal]

Was undoubtably one of the best balanced footballers off all time
Rarely made mistakes
Great mark
Great skills
Great player
When you think of guys who can pass a footy over long distances this guy is nearly the best
One of the best players of all time.

Remember him out on the field for PA in the SANFL, used to make position so well,
he used to go ballistic when team-mates would not pass to him
can remember him screaming cursing .....dedicated superstar and a CHAMPION

Just a pity his WATTOstring finished him off

thanks
FIGJAM
regards
FIGMAL

[MW]

He only made one mistake...leaving the Bears for the Pies

[Dog_ger]

A Fabulous player.

Better than Dog_ger ever would be in a million years.....

But was he over rated slightly........?

I tend to think so.......

[Dog_ger]

Was he as good as Craig Bradley...?

In my oppinion....... NO......