Collingwood supporters will be dusting off their Buckley Brigade caps for the 2010 season due to the club using its final pick (85) in tonight's draft to acquire former Melbourne-player Simon Buckley.
The 22-year-old, who was delisted at the end of the 2009 season, was hampered by groin and hip injuries for most of the year but has been able to overcome those problems through surgery.
Acquired by the Demons in the 2005 draft, Buckley managed 21 senior games since his debut in round 14, 2007.
He enjoyed his best patch of football in 2008 when he contributed in 14 games and averaged 21.2 disposals and 6.6 marks. Buckley polled one Brownlow vote for his efforts (27 possessions and 10 marks) in the round 17 loss to North Melbourne.
With the retirements of Martin Clarke and Shannon Cox at the end of the season, Collingwood’s head recruiting manager Derek Hine believes Buckley poses as a strong replacement down in defence.
“We believe he (Buckley) is up and going and can fill that half-back role reasonably straight away,” Hine told collingwoodfc.com.au after the draft.
“This will help with the absence of Shannon Cox (retired) and Martin Clarke (retired). Buckley gives us much more scope in defence.”
Buckley will arrive at his new club early next week and meet his new teammates when the playing group returns from Flagstaff, Arizona early next month.
