‘Fair bit to offer’: Buckley confirms interest in Kangaroos job... and his ‘love’ for their midfield brute

Nathan Buckley believes he has “a fair bit to offer” to North Melbourne as senior coach, confirming his interest in the gig - and his “love” for midfield beast George Wardlaw.

The Collingwood great turned long-time boss met with Kangaroos footy boss Todd Viney last week as part of the club’s search for a replacement after sacking Alastair Clarkson.

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He was viewed as the favourite to become the inaugural coach of the Tasmania Devils for a lengthy period, taking an assistant coach role at Geelong to help prepare himself, but Ken Hinkley won the job instead.

But Buckley’s flame hasn’t been extinguished and he now looms as the lone candidate in the Kangaroos race with senior coaching experience, with John Longmire taking a role at Essendon and Adam Simpson choosing to remain in the media.

Buckley led the Magpies for 218 matches, winning 54.13% of them and qualifying for one Grand Final (2018).

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“Well, I think nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Buckley said on Kayo Sports’ On the Couch.

“I mean, I’ve determined 12 months ago that I’d love to senior coach again, and I love the role at Geelong.

“And right now, I will be at Geelong in 2027.

“But I’d still think that there’s another go around as a senior coach, and I’ve got a fair bit to offer.”

Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham is viewed as the early leader in the race, having run second to Josh Fraser for the Carlton job.

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The Kangaroos escaped the bottom two for the first time this decade but finished the 2026 season in 14th with nine wins, having flirted with the wildcard race until late in the year.

The opportunity to bring their young list back into the finals for the first time in over 10 years is an appetising one.

“I really respect the way North have handled this and they’ve they’ve kept things really tight,” Buckley said on Fox Footy.

“I think they haven’t sort of spoken out of turn, and I want to fall into line with that a little.”

Asked whether he’d been told by the Kangaroos they were seeking a first-time coach, Buckley said: “No, that that hasn’t been anything that’s been indicated to me.

“I had the chat earlier last week and was asked to present, and I’m of the mind to do that.”

The champion midfielder has publicly declared his appreciation for Kangaroos young gun George Wardlaw previously and said he would love to coach a player like him.

“I don’t think it’s hard to fall in love with George Wardlaw,” Buckley said.

“I think everyone on this couch has loved the way that he goes about it.

“So I suppose they’re the young players that you know you get to work with, and you realise that you feel that you could impact positively, and that’s the opportunity you’re looking for when you’re looking at senior roles.”