Tasmania Devils coaching candidate Nathan Buckley said he'd take the top coaching job if he were asked tomorrow.
Buckley has long been strongly linked with the role of inaugural coach of the Devils, and after Melbourne opting for Steven King as the Simon Goodwin replacement, all roads appear to lead to that outcome.
The Collingwood icon was split between pushing for the Demons role or holding out for Tasmania, and met with Devils CEO Brendon Gale on Monday to reestablish his position.
"It went well," Buckley told SEN Whateley.
"Obviously, I've tried to be as open and as transparent as I can because it's not my remit really.
"The Melbourne process was run and done, and I thought that was run pretty well, and they came to their conclusion, which was excellent.
"Now I've lurched in the Tassie process – you don't want to give blow-by-blows because you're respectful of the other side absolutely.
"A senior coach is but one role that they're looking to investigate and fill, and I'm not sure of the timing of that.
"I've determined that I'd love to coach again. If Tassie feels that I'm a fit, then I'll be there, but that's up to them to work out. Beyond that, if that doesn't work out, then I go back to the drawing board."
Buckley admitted earlier this week that the Tasmania job was "more attractive" than the Demons position, and he explained why.
"It's quite a unique challenge. When I look at the way that the Giants came about, and further back Gold Coast, you look at those inception clubs and they're very different challenges," he continued.
"To build something from scratch is attractive to be involved in something like that. I think Tassie is unique.
"When the Crows came up, it's Adelaide, but it's not landlocked, and half of Adelaide was Port Adelaide, or Norwood, or Sturt.
"Tassie has its segments, there's different clans, I suppose, in Tassie, but it's landlocked. It is a state, and no matter who represents that state, it will be the state's team, which is pretty unique.
"I've got an affinity with the place. I love it, I love getting down there and escaping. I think the nature of it… I think there's an edgy part of Tassie's society that I really appreciate, probably not as conventional, and I admire that, and I have admired that for a while.
"I love their messaging at the moment – I think they're getting everything right. All they need to do is get that stadium over the line.
"The plans are in place, and it's ready to roll out. I think the Devils will be a really strong part of what Tasmania becomes.
"I'd love to be a part of that."
But as Buckley alluded to, the Macquarie Point Stadium is a major spot of contention in the Apple Isle.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission has recommended the Macquarie Point stadium project NOT proceed.
Decision based largely off the size of the building in relation to its site, and a the construction cost
Tas parliamentarians to have final say later this year.@abcsport
— Chris Rowbottom (@chrisroww) September 16, 2025
The Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) recently recommended against building the stadium due to its size and cost.
"The Integrated Assessment Report (IAR) identifies a number of benefits and disbenefits that would accrue if the Project proceeds. The Panel has concluded that the benefits are outweighed by the disbenefits.
"The fundamental problem is the size, location and geographical features of the site, in its highly valued context, do not support the disproportionately large, monolithic building proposed.
"It is a building which is incongruent with the valued characteristics of its spatial context, completely at odds with the long-established planning principles guiding and informing development, and with the land and urban fabric surrounding the site and the heritage values associated with nearby places.
"Proceeding with the Project will give rise to irrevocable and unacceptable adverse impacts on Hobart's spatial and landscape character, urban form and historic cultural heritage."
A decision on the venue will be made later in the year.
