Bucking Off

Fairytales in football are very rare indeed. Reparation for hard work is certainly more attainable but in no way assured.

Case in point Nathan Buckley. A player who at every moment in his career has taken extreme care of his body with impeccable attention to detail. Now, despite his diligence, that body is breaking down to the point that it may well never get him on to the field of battle again.

Meanwhile, it seems more so than ever we have innumerable talented individuals who are not willing to do the hard work necessary to attain the football excellence that is within their reach. Huge media fuelled egos and comfort in their celebrity – and fat pay cheques - ensure they will never reach the hallowed echelon reserved for the true greats of the game.

Alternatively we see – and admire – the Paul Licuria’s of the world: those that may not have the sublime skills that grab the headlines but who are willing to work their guts out to get to the line each week. Simple genetics dictate that they too will not attain the rarefied rank of greatness.

With many league footballers you seem to have a trade off between talent and hard work. Never have these two traits been melded so perfectly as with Nathan Buckley. It would therefore be a cruel fate that saw Buckley leave the game on anything but his own terms.

Over a decade of sustained excellence and a long list of playing honours have not shaded the record breaking captain’s gut busting work ethic – no doubt a strict adherent to the Steve Waugh ethos that you never stop improving.

There are few more majestic sights on a football field than the poise and vision of a Nathan Buckley field kick. The great tragedy is that unlike the wizardry of Shane Warne over the previous cricketing summer – and indeed James Hird this football season - we may not be able to marvel at his prowess on the field knowing it is soon to be gone. It may well already be gone forever.

But as always amongst Collingwood supporters hope springs eternal. The side may well extend its season beyond the 22 weeks, allowing the captain precious time to nurse his recalcitrant hamstring back to health. Justice would be to see the man known to the Magpie Army as ‘Bucks’ take the field for one last farewell, to say good bye on the shoulders of teammates rather than from the confines of a motorcade . A fairytale would be the victory dais on Grand Final day.

Though cruel reality and rational thought dictates that, tragically, we have seen Buckley play for the last time, we do have Jason McCartney to thank for the adage that in football – on very rare occasions - “fairytales do come true”.