Buckley's weekly interview with Gerard Whateley in 2019

[tbaker]

^ and Whateley sums up the general feel about the sanction (where he refers to some saying too harsh, some saying too lenient etc.), then passes off his view as the last final word, and the one authoritive verdict, on the matter (that Stephenson is extremely lucky) - with presumably, Buckley right there in the studio with him (it was the segue into the interview). Oddly though, he didn't dare challenge Buckley's view that it was overly harsh and the self-reporting should've seen Stephenson handed a lesser suspension. Buckley's statements effectively mirrored the view of many on here...

[3rd degree]

Whateley is painful at times , but Mike Shehean has him covered all day for been a total w#nker.

[Woods]

This morning’s interview begins with a chat about “a team and its imperfections”, with reference to the Aust. cricket team’s overnight win against England. A fairly predictable ramble with the usual motherhood words like journey, validation, leadership, etc. Buckley mentions that Pendlebury has had a problem impeding his own performance (eg.caught out of position) when directing traffic.

Whateley probes the cause of Buckley’s angry physical agitation in the coaches' box during the Dogs game. Buckley says the team looked the opposite of how they planned to play. In particular, “the last three or four minutes were putrid”. Collective and individual performances were poor - it’s “black and white”. Explains his view on giving players “a good burst” during breaks, and the theatre of coaching - “I don’t understand that”. Says his boys at home thought he’d broken the phone in the box.

Score review system and lack of training for the AFL reviewers in the booth. Buckley: “There have been decisions that have cost games”. Recalls he kicked a goal once that was touched but it was called a goal because he stuck his arms up.

Scharenberg’s progress. Buckley laments a newspaper story today that says he will play this week, just because he talked him up at yesterday’s press conference.

Punter Stevo’s 10 week sabbatical. Buckley: He had already lived through the guilt and embarrassment when he fronted the media last week. Have plan for him. Team can cope with his absence - “We cover for each other”.

Other coaches, eg. Hinckley, and aggressive dropping of players. Would do it if it made team better. Need to keep team consolidated and connected. Win/loss score card the measure of success. Keeping players on edge re. selection can motivate if it’s the right button to push - only a coach would know, not outsiders. Get best out of players when they feel valued.

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=388686

[Woods]

Don't expect there will be an interview this week as I heard that Whateley is away and there are stand-ins doing his morning radio slot (possibly he's over at Wimbledon?). Pity, it would have been interesting listening to Whateley probe deeper into the loss to North.

[Bucks2014]

Hi Woods,

Gerard was hosting Afl 360 last night. I don't recall him mentioning he was going to Wimbledon.

I really enjoy this segment, l will also be disappointed if there isn't one this week. Wondering if perhaps Bucks cancelled.

Or perhaps Gerard is having a break from other media commitments due to school holidays.

[Woods]

[Bucks2014]

Hi again Woods,

Gerard confirmed on 360 tonight that he is on holidays.

[Woods]

Thanks, Bucks14.

For those missing their weekly fix, here’s a 25 min interview that Taylor Adams gave on RSN radio this morning.

He talks about his groin injury and expected return; the post-game review of the loss to North (including how players respond to being shown video clips of their poor play); his game-day role, in the box etc; Jaidyn Stephenson doing brutally “grim” training program during suspension; Elliot’s return this week; Adam’s mental state after a long-term injury; Ben Reid’s injury and prognosis; what to expect against the Hawks.

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=391831

[Bucks2014]

Thanks Woods,

Speaks like a future captain, hope he's back next week or we are going to get smacked in the middle again.

[Woods]

Buckley turned up this morning for his weekly SEN interview, but in Whateley’s absence ( he’s in LA at a baseball game last time I looked) Sam ‘Ranga’ McClure was the questioner. Thought I'd post it because, although its not Whateley, we haven't heard much from Buckley for a week or two (it's a testy interview at times with Buckley finding it difficult to ignore some of McClure’s more obvious headline hunting probes).

Topics covered included:

Annual coaches’ dinner last night at Gill’s home in Prahran. Buckley: coaches talked about “bigger picture stuff” (eg. how would the AFL handle an Israel Folau situation, Adam Goodes issue, gambling, illicit drugs) and long discussion on how the game is being played (eg. rule changes etc). Buckley says, “The game is in great hands”. He made an interesting point about how AFL data shows that new 6-6-6 rule has resulted in teams that lose centre clearance rebounding more easily because of more space.
Topic concludes with Buckley explaining his face-to-face encounter with coach Luke Beveridge last night following Buckley’s recent post-match ‘criticism’ of the Dogs. No “stone in the shoe” over it.

Did Buckley intentionally plan to call players ‘soft’ when going into recent press conferences? Buckley: objects to that interpretation. Says he prefers to answer media questions honestly, and say publically what he has already “shared” directly with the players. Mentions the role of Leigh Matthews as a media mentor.

Collingwood’s form - how to arrest the decline? In-depth post-mortem on recent games (midfield probs) and the way ahead. Generally, Buckley is positive on the Pies’ capabilities: “we have a good sense of who we are”, but “the only thing that counts is action”. Surprisingly (alarmingly?), Buckley then (without promting by McClure) takes the conversation into Collingwood’s recent odds with the bookies. (McClure: “I can’t believe you know what the odds are”)

McClure asks if Stephenson’s infringement and suspension has been a cause of recent poor form? Buckley relates it to the loss of players due to injuries.

Is Howe a chance this week? Buckley: Unlikely. Hard ground at the Perth stadium not a deciding factor in selection.

Does Cox need time in VFL to get his mojo back? Buckley: maybe, but….

De Goey’s fine for using phone when driving. It has been addressed, handled internally by Walsh. De Goey told, “Pull your head in”. More public interest because it’s Collingwood.

Beams? No contact in last week. “Battling away” on physical front post-op. Others at club in contact re mental issues.

Interview ends with Buckley saying, “Thanks, Samuel”.

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=394200

[Woods]

Whateley back from holidays this week and interviewed Buckley this morning.

Topics covered included:

Long discussion about yesterday’s sacking of St. Kilda’s coach. The realities of success/failure in coaching, coaching personalities in the AFL etc., etc.

NZ loss in the Cricket World Cup final and dealing with the trauma of loss.

Pies’ win over the Eagles. Buckley says they were confident going in. A breakthrough game for the Pies. “We travel well”. A jab at the Cattery with a tongue-in-cheek remark along the lines of Geelong getting 18 home games.

Does the surface of the Perth stadium contribute to injury? Buckley: “We pulled up OK”… I’m a bit of a nay-sayer”.

No further news as yet on Pendlebury’s broken finger. Awaiting surgeon’s report then consider Pendlebury’s viewpoint.

Wimbledon. Buckley: “I’m a Federer man”.

Interview closes with Buckley saying, “NZ were robbed” (I wish he’d added, ‘…as Collingwood was in last year’s Grand Final’).

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=397560

[Woods]

A very testy Buckley was interviewed this morning.

In-depth post-mortem into the GWS game, “Its only one loss”.

Where does July sit in the progress of the season?, “I like April”.

Ladder positions more volatile this year. Buckley disagrees; teases Whateley over Geelong loss.

How not to jump at shadows when coaching.

Whateley asks Buckley about his empathy, frustrations etc. Buckley annoyed and challenges and mocks this line of questioning.

Stephenson posting pics on social media, “How dare he be human”. Buckley reveals that Stephenson is on club sanctioned holidays and then berates those who criticised Stephenson for posting pics
(How about letting the footy world know Stevo is on hols after previously announcing he is training hard. Does Buckley think supporters, journos etc. are clairvoyant? When circumstances change, tell us).

Richmond game next. Cox will play.

Reid tore a hammy recovering from a calf - “its not tragic”, but “will knock him around”. Wells has not given up on a return this season. Langdon’s surgery.

Audio podcast: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=399597

[K]

[Mr Miyagi]

Club damage control. Taylor says Stephenson is copping “grim” training regime during his suspension. Stephenson than posts photos of his Cairns holiday. Now Buckley is saying it’s club sanctioned. Yep, damage control, we have problems.

[David]

Buckley is totally right about Stephenson. People want to see him in sackcloth and ashes for three months, as if anyone would actually do that, and visible evidence of him smiling or having a good time is seen as a scandal, as if he's living for their benefit. Idiots.