Buckley has not hidden his ambitions to return to an AFL head coaching position since stepping down as boss of Collingwood in mid-2021, most recently using his role in the media to openly covet the Tasmanian Devils job.
The 53-year-old said he had presented to the Devils board, including head executives Grant O'Brien and Brendon Gale, on more than one occasion, having decided "about 12 months ago" that he was ready for another crack at AFL coaching.
He won 53% of his 218 matches in charge of the Pies across nine-and-a-half seasons, leading them to five separate finals campaigns including the 2018 Grand Final loss to West Coast.
A 4-9 record in 2021 saw him step aside for interim coach Robert Harvey before current head coach Craig McRae was hired on a permanent basis.
Buckley joined Geelong as an assistant coach in 2026 as a pathway to returning to head coaching with the ultimate goal being to transition into the Tasmania job at the end of the season, but he ultimately lost that race to former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley.
Speaking in his regular Monday night role as a Fox Footy pundit, where he has previously unveiled information about his bid to join the Devils, a "disappointed" Buckley said his career had reached "a fork in the road" as a result of things not going to plan.
"I was really deliberate in getting back into Geelong, and it was as much to give myself the very best chance to be ready to go for the Tasmania role," Buckley explained on Fox Footy.
"But now that’s off the table, I’ll be absolutely committed to what’s going on at Geelong.
Buckley revealed that his contract at Geelong has an option to stay on in 2027, which he said was the most likely path he would take after he ruled himself out of entering the contest for the vacant positions at both Carlton and Essendon.
"If that’s the worst thing that’s come about through this process, then I’m honoured and grateful for that opportunity (at Geelong)," he said.
“I think it’s taken me a little bit of time to reflect, because I was really keen on it. I was in on it ... If you’re going to go for a job, you’ve got to decide that you’re all-in on it, and I was.
“I absolutely respect the process that the Devils have run, and I respect their decision with Ken. I think this is what a process is about. it’s about an organisation and learning what its needs are. I'm glad they found him."
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
