Nathan Buckley re-entering the coaching caper is only a positive for his stocks as the inaugural Tasmania Devils coach ahead of the club's introduction in 2028.
Buckley's shock appointment as a Geelong assistant coach in 2026 raised plenty of eyebrows in the football landscape.
But, following Steven King's appointment as Melbourne's coach, the Cats had to move quickly to fill the void.
Buckley revealed that Geelong coach Chris Scott contacted him a week ago, and as they say, the rest is history.
"Chris Scott is not your quintessential coach. He comes at things from a different direction," Buckley said on SEN.
"Scotty (Chris Scott) sent me a text last Tuesday out of the blue. He said if I had a chance, could we chat? We had that conversation; he planted the seed.
"I met with Steve Hocking, Andrew Mackie and Chris (last Thursday). We feel there's a fit there for what I'm passionate about.
"I don't think you're ever half into something like this. If you're committed to getting back into the cut and thrust of the game, that's what I'll be doing."
Buckley is still all in on the Devils job, and even discussed the Geelong proposition with Tasmania CEO Brendan Gale.
"I said what would the Devils' opinion be if this was to take place," Buckley explained.
"The feedback was that this would only prepare me better and put my claim further ahead, and it would be supported.
"They still have some hurdles to cross with the license and stadium. The senior coach fits in there somewhere, that's on their timeline.
"My understanding is the Devils don't feel they need their senior coach on deck immediately. Whoever gets employed by the Devils, invariably, they're in the football system now anyway."
Buckley will still hold his media role with Fox Footy, but acknowledged that if his media commitments clash with what Geelong requires of him, the 2025 grand finalists would take priority.
"I would never undermine or betray trusts with the football club – they are putting a lot of trust in me," he said.
"I don't think I'm going to put my foot in it, and to the detriment of Geelong, which I suppose is part of the balance I need to find.
"I will be absolutely respectful of the Geelong footy club and my role there – and that is my first role. That is my primary responsibility going into 2026."
