One of the competition’s best key defenders, Buckley originally joined the GIANTS as a forward after being picked up as a Category B Rookie ahead of the 2018 AFL season. The son of former North Melbourne player and chairman Ben Buckley, the star defender spent his first few seasons struggling to break into the GIANTS’ lineup until debuting in round 17, 2020, playing as a wingman. The following season, injury opened up a spot in the backline that Buckley would quickly make his own. A former Swans Academy member, Buckley’s emergence was dealt a major blow when a severe ACL injury in 2021 forced him to miss over 600 days of football. Built with perseverance, Buckley returned to the GIANTS’ lineup in 2023 with a breakout season, establishing himself as an elite one-on-one defender and half of one of the AFL’s most formidable defensive duos alongside teammate Sam Taylor. Buckley continued his emergence throughout 2024 where he played 23 out of a possible 25 games in a brilliant campaign. In a moment to celebrate his perseverance, Buckley celebrated his 50th AFL game last year in the club’s ANZAC Day clash with the Lions in Canberra in round seven.
