Nathan Burke’s left field choice for Suns coaching gig

Former St Kilda great, Nathan Burke, has suggested Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley should be appointed the next coach of the Gold Coast Suns following the sacking of Rodney Eade on Tuesday.

Buckley, who has coached Collingwood for six year, has been under enormous pressure this season, with the Pies' last finals appearance coming in 2013.

Carlton assistant coach John Barker is currently the hot favourite to be appointed coach of the Suns, while the likes of Blake Caracella, Stewart Dew, Brett Ratten and even Brad Scott have been named as possible replacements.

However, Burke believes Buckley is the man to take the Suns up the ladder.

“When your whole relevance as a club is being questioned, that is not a good thing,” Burke said on Fox Sports on Wednesday morning.

“Certainly, in this year, in games and (on) the ladder they’re not relevant but they need some high-profile person to come in.

“I know they are talking (John) Barker and Brett Ratten and these sort of guys.

"For me, I’m going to go left field. I’m going to say a guy like Nathan Buckley.

“Get out of Collingwood, leave that behind, leave all that baggage, Mick Malthouse, behind.

“It makes their (Collingwood’s) decision a lot easier. He is a great media performer, that is what they need up there.

“A fresh start with younger players and let’s see whether Bucks can actually coach. For me, that’s where I’d be looking.”

Buckley has coached the Magpies to 68 wins, 60 losses and one draw in his 129 games, while taking the club to finals on two occasions.

Buckley took over as head coach from Mick Malthouse in 2011.