Collingwood great Nathan Buckley in talks to coach Tasmania Devils

Nathan Buckley as Collingwood Magpies coach in 2021. Picture: Michael Klein

Nathan Buckley has emerged as the front runner to coach the Tasmania Devils, with the Collingwood great revealing he has had talks with the Devils boss about a role in the AFL’s 19th team.

The Devils will join the AFL in 2028 and apart from building a new stadium in Hobart, choosing a head coach is one of the top priorities for the league’s expansion team in the Apple Isle.

Buckley - who coached Collingwood from 2012-2021 - said he still has the coaching bug and had met with Devils CEO Brendon Gale for wide ranging discussions about the franchise.

Appearing on Fox Footy's On The Couch, Buckley said he advocated for people in the football industry who would be great in the role, but admitted the discussions with Gale also covered the possibility of him taking the role.

Buckley said he would need to accept “the pragmatic view” that the Devils are unlikely to be contending for a premiership during the inaugural coach’s tenure.

He expects a coach to be appointed later this year, or early next year.