Pies’ Buckley to undergo hamstring surgery

Two days after it was revealed North Melbourne coach Brad Scott would miss a month of the AFL season due to back surgery, Collingwood counterpart Nathan Buckley went under the knife.

Buckley was playing touch football on Tuesday when he tore his left hamstring from the bone.

The club expects Buckley will be able to coach the Magpies in Monday’s match against Melbourne, but if he is unavailable, senior assistant coach Robert Harvey will take the reins.

“Clearly, the end to my playing career taught me very little, Buckley said in a statement.

“I’m still confusing ambition with ability and my hamstrings are still reminding me of that mistake.”

Harvey took control of training on Wednesday and will continue to manage the squad until Buckley returns.

“As important as the senior coach is, the strength and quality of the Collingwood program should compensate for his absence for a couple of days if that is what transpires,” Collingwood director of football Neil Balme said.

“Harves and the rest of the coaching staff are an experienced group and more than capable of ensuring continuity.”

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