Wed Sep 18 22:07:00 UTC 2024: ## Collingwood Legend Buckley Admits to “Disgraceful” Behaviour During Football Career

Former Collingwood captain and coach Nathan Buckley has revealed a side of himself rarely seen, confessing to struggles with emotional insecurity and “disgraceful” behaviour during his playing career.

In an interview with The Imperfects podcast, Buckley opened up about his coping mechanisms, which included heavy drinking and isolating himself from others. “The guy that had tears running down his cheeks was thankful that it was raining periodically, because he never wanted to show weakness, never wanted to show vulnerability,” he said.

Buckley attributed his behaviour to a fear of vulnerability and an inability to deal with the intense pressure of being a star athlete in the public eye. “There were a lot of ineffective, damaging behaviours that were in there…a lot of numbing and coping strategies to try and handle that intensity of performance,” he explained.

His “terrible” body language and on-field attitude towards his teammates, he admits, were disrespectful to himself, his team, and the sport. He has never publicly acknowledged the extent of these struggles before.

Buckley’s revelation comes after a period of personal growth and self-discovery following the breakdown of his marriage in 2020. The experience highlighted his need for support and showed him that he wasn’t “bulletproof” and didn’t have “all the answers.”

Despite the challenging experiences, Buckley is now embracing a more balanced outlook on life. He encourages others to focus on the bigger picture and not dwell on the small stuff. “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Everything was always huge to me. Even the small things!”

Buckley’s honest and candid reflections offer a glimpse into the hidden struggles faced by even the most successful athletes. His willingness to share his journey will likely resonate with many who have grappled with similar challenges and serve as a reminder that even the most formidable individuals can face vulnerability and imperfection.

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