The unheralded rise of Jack Buckley continued on Saturday night when the 23-year old performed well against triple-Premiership winning Tiger Jack Riewoldt.
It was just Buckley’s 11th AFL game, seeing him give up 281 matches in experience against his direct opponent.
With Lachie Keeffe going down with a season-ending knee injury, Buckley was given the big task as a key defender against one of the AFL’s premier forwards.
The role made even more impressive by the fact Buckley – while clearly versatile – started his AFL career as a wingman.
Riewoldt was held to just six touches and kicked a goal late in the match, while Buckley collected 10 possessions, took six marks and laid three tackles.
Coach Leon Cameron was full of praise for Buckley after the match.
“He’s got an appetite like I haven’t seen for a long time,” said Cameron.
“He’s a hard worker, he’s got speed, he’s got endurance and he wants to play for his team.
“We put him at full back and he’d never been to full back and he comes up against Riewoldt and I thought he had some great moments. Some fantastic moments.
“And guess what, he’s got to do it again next week. I’m really rapt these kids are heading in the right direction.”
Having been part of the Swans Academy as a teenager, Buckley gave up his dream of playing professional football and was playing for UNSW/ES Bulldogs when he caught the attention of the GIANTS.
Some impressive performances for the GIANTS in the NEAFL as a top of player, as a forward, saw him given an opportunity as a category B rookie at the end of 2017.
“He’s a wonderful story. He’s skulking around, playing in the Sydney league not going anywhere and our recruiters have done a wonderful job picking him up,” said Cameron.
Since debuting at the Gabba in round 17 last season, Buckley has become one of the GIANTS’ most versatile players and has played every game so far in 2021.
