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Is the vacant Melbourne job “Buckley’s if he wants it”?
SEN • September 2nd, 2025 11:07 am
SEN newsbreaker Tom Morris thinks that the vacant Melbourne coaching job is Nathan Buckley’s if he wants it.
The former Collingwood coach has long been considered a frontrunner for the role after Simon Goodwin’s sacking, and Buckley himself has confirmed he’s going through the process as the Demons narrow down their shortlist of candidates.
While it’s believed that all of Brendon Lade, Hayden Skipworth, Steven King and James Kelly are also speaking to the Demons, Morris says the hot seat already has Buckley’s name on it if he tells the club he wants the job.
“I keep saying the same thing, if Buckley wants it, it's his,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“What has been underestimated, though, people have been saying, ‘Well, what are these other assistant coaches doing?’.
“I think it actually bodes well for Brendon Lade, who I know Alan Richardson really rates, if he comes second in this race.
“Yes, I am saying it (with a degree of certainty). If Buckley wants it, it’s his and I haven’t wavered from that view.”
While Morris is strong in his belief, Melbourne great Garry Lyon’s understanding is quite different after speaking to key people at the club.
Lyon believes that the race is still wide open to the half dozen candidates and that a decision hasn’t already been made.
“He said definitively that the decision has been made,” Lyon said.
“My understanding is that is not the case, and the messaging coming out of Melbourne is that is 100 per cent not the case.
“Now, Tom might be proven to be right in time, I don't know, but my understanding right now this second, is that is not the case. A decision hasn't been made.
“The process is to unfold, and they've shortlisted, I understand it to be somewhere in the vicinity of half a dozen applicants, and the process starts now.
“I will tell you this, Nathan Buckley doesn't think that's the case… he said last night that he's 100 per cent in for the process.”
Lyon is also concerned for the other candidates if Morris’ report is to be believed.
With the club putting together a panel of key club figures Brad Green, Steve Smith, Paul Guerra and Alan Richardson as well as Jobe Watson, Frank Ponissi and Meahan Callaghan to pick the next coach, Lyon is certain that Melbourne haven’t made an early call with so many voices set to offer their input.
“You know how much time I've got for Tom…. but if people believe that, or people around the people who are in for these jobs start to believe that, then they get questions on the back of it… ‘Why would I be putting my hand up if this decision's already been made?’,” Lyon said.
“The Melbourne Football Club are definitive in saying that that is not the case.
“I've got messages in the last 10 minutes that's saying that is categorically untrue. So, make of that what you will.”
The Demons hope to make their appointment ahead of the 2025 AFL Grand Final on September 27.
