Nathan Buckley’s incredible season has been recognised by his peers, who have voted him the AFL Coaches’ Association’s Coach of the Year for 2018.

In winning the award, Buckley was adjudged to be the best performed senior coach throughout the AFL 2018 season, inclusive of both the home and away series and the first three weeks of the finals.

It takes into consideration the current season's performance, available resources, player talent and team management.

The voting process is conducted by the AFL Coaches’ Association members on a 3-2-1 basis.

Buckley’s past 12 months at the helm have formed one of the most enduring stories of the 2018 season.

Awarded a new two-year contract last September, Buckley took the Magpies into their first finals series since 2013 and their first Grand Final since 2011.

In doing so, Buckley has dealt with and overcome numerous challenges.

From injuries to key players to overcoming a 0-2 start, Buckley and his Magpies have met their various obstacles with a smile and a sense of fun, and have recorded several famous victories in the process.



Nathan Buckley has led Collingwood to 17 wins so far in season 2018.

A barnstorming 48-point win over Adelaide in round four set the tone, and was soon followed by a string of notable victories over Melbourne in round 12, Essendon in round 16 and Fremantle in round 23 that helped lock in a top four berth.

In the weeks since, Collingwood fell agonisingly short against West Coast in the Qualifying Final before recording momentous wins over Greater Western Sydney and Richmond to charge into Saturday’s Grand Final.

Buckley has led Collingwood through a well-documented period of change and regrowth, with the side hovering between 11th and 13th between 2014 and 2017.

The AFL Coaches’ Association’s Coach of the Year Award, struck in legendary St Kilda and Hawthorn coach Allan Jeans’ name, was initiated in 2003.

Buckley becomes the second Collingwood coach to win it, following in the footsteps of Mick Malthouse, who received the Award in 2010.

Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year Award Winners
2003 – Paul Roos (Sydney)
2004 – Mark Williams (Port Adelaide)
2005 – Neil Craig (Adelaide)
2006 – John Worsfold (West Coast)
2007 – Mark Thompson (Geelong)
2008 – Mark Thompson (Geelong)
2009 – Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
2010 – Mick Malthouse (Collingwood)
2011 – John Worsfold (West Coast)
2012 – John Longmire (Sydney)
2013 – Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
2014 – John Longmire (Sydney)
2015 – Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
2016 – Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
2017 – Damien Hardwick (Richmond)
2018 – Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)



Nathan Buckley celebrates Collingwood's win over Port Adelaide in round 22 with Chris Mayne and Travis Varcoe.