Nathan Buckley exits North Melbourne coaching race
Nathan Buckley has withdrawn from the race to replace Alastair Clarkson, and North Melbourne is set to appoint a first-time coach.
Nathan Buckley pulled out of the North Melbourne coaching process late last week. Buckley was due to present to the club's panel on Saturday.
Buckley is the former Collingwood coach and guided the club to the 2018 grand final. Buckley told the Kangaroos he would not pursue the job.
Buckley's withdrawal removes one of the top candidates from the race. North's next coach will be a first-time senior coach.
Remaining contenders include Daniel Giansiracusa, Jaymie Graham, David Hale and North assistant Xavier Clarke. Buckley is 54 and has been an assistant at Geelong since 2026.
He has turned down coaching offers since stepping away from Collingwood in 2021.
- 54
- Buckley's age
- 2018
- Grand final year
- 218
- Collingwood games coached
- 20 wins from 81 games
- Clarkson's win-loss record
Why it mattersNorth Melbourne's rebuild now rests with a first-time coach. This is risky for a club under pressure after Alastair Clarkson's poor tenure.
AustraliaNorth Melbourne's search for its next leader narrows to less-experienced candidates, a significant shift for the Kangaroos' attempts to end a prolonged rebuild.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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