Junior joy for Buckley as U16s win

AFL COACH-in-waiting Nathan Buckley has started his Vic Country coaching duties in brilliant style, guiding his team to a comprehensive 60-point win over arch-rival Vic Metro.

Vic Country 13.12 (90) defeated Vic Metro 4.6 (30) in glorious conditions at Blacktown Olympic Park Oval on Saturday.

And although there was some fine young talent on display, it was the debut of Buckley that took centre stage.

So how did the AFL great, having previously assisted former high performance coach Alan McConnell in the AIS/AFL Academy, find his first match as a head coach?

"I enjoyed it. I've really enjoyed the whole program and to spend some time with the Vic Country kids," the former Collingwood captain told afl.com.au after the victory.

"It has been over six or seven weeks and I haven't seen a great deal of them – it's been five or six days combined – but they're a good group and we try and keep things simple and we had a good result today."

Buckley said he couldn't have asked for a better start to the one-week carnival, which will see Country play two more matches against Western Australia on Tuesday and South Australia on Friday at the same venue.

"I think the kids that we've got listened very well and they're prepared to put pressure on the opposition and they were able to create opportunities through that," he said.

"We had plenty of shots on goal that we could've converted, but we tackled really well and used the ball more effectively as the game went on.

"We've played Metro three times in the last five weeks, so we've been able to have a bit of a look at them, but coming in on Tuesday against WA is going to be a different story – it's going to be a bit of an unknown."

The 2003 joint-Brownlow Medallist said he relished the opportunity to be involved in post-match celebrations again.

"When the boys came in and sung the song after the game I was peaking – I loved that," Buckley said.

"To be involved in that group – even though you're not a player – but to see the reward that they've put in, that's why footy is so great.

"I hope that they see me as someone who can help them develop in the game. I might be their coach now and I might be coaching them for three games, but hopefully what they learn from me is sustainable over a long period."

It was an early start day for Buckley, who flew to Sydney in the morning after fulfilling his expert commentary duties for Channel 7 on Friday night at the MCG.

"It was a little bit unusual. I got to the hotel at a quarter past eight and the boys were milling around. Coming in this morning, it was a matter of having just a quick chat to the boys," Buckley said.

"We flew up to Canberra on Wednesday night and had a day and a half at the AIS with the boys and then jumped on the kite and headed home yesterday afternoon for the footy.

"We were back on it again at 4.30am to catch the 6.30am flight this morning to get here (western Sydney), so I'll sleep well tonight."