Nathan Buckley says he’ll accept any offer to be the inaugural coach of Tasmania’s AFL side.
Buckley met with the Devils’ chief executive Brendon Gale on Tuesday.
The former Collingwood coach said if offered, he’d coach the Devils, slated to enter the AFL in 2028.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
“That is probably the question that I asked myself before getting to the final position with Melbourne and that’s why I couldn’t answer definitively with Melbourne,” Buckley told SEN on Tuesday.
“So, yes. The answer is yes.
“And I probably wasn’t there until the Melbourne process, ironically.
“And I am not sitting here saying like I assume that, expect that (Tasmania offer). This is all open spitballing.
“But yeah, one, I’ve determined that I would love to coach again.
“If Tassie feel like I am a fit, then I will be there.
“But that is up to them to work out. And beyond that, if that doesn’t work out, then I go back to the drawing board.”
Buckley’s comments came as Tasmania’s planning commission said the state’s proposed AFL stadium shouldn’t be built.
The AFL has maintained a ‘no stadium, no team’ stance but the planning commission described the project as “monolithic”, too big for the Macquiarie Point site, and not worth the $945 million cost.
The report’s recommendation is not binding but could sway a parliamentary vote on whether to give the stadium the go-ahead.
Buckley was a candidate for Melbourne’s head coaching role, given to current Geelong assistant Steven King, but couldn’t commit given the prospect of joining Tasmania.
But after meeting with Gale, he was set on the Devils.
“You don’t want to give blow-by-blows because you’re respectful of the other side, absolutely, and I don’t think the new information is dealt with appropriately at times,” he said.
“But it was good to have that chat and they will continue on their path and what they need to do as an organisation.
“And the senior coach is but one role that they’re looking to investigate and to fill.
“And I am not sure on the timing on that at this point.”
Asked what appeals about the job, Buckley replied: “What doesn’t?”
“It’s quite a unique challenge ... you build something from scratch, I think is attractive to be involved in something like that.
“Tassie is unique ... it’s a state. And no matter who represents that state, it will be the state’s team which is pretty unique.”
Buckley said the new club was doing everything right in its formation.
“I love their messaging at the moment, I think they’re getting everything right,” he said.
“All they need to do is get that stadium over the line and the plans are in place, it’s ready to roll out, and I think the Devils will be a really strong part of what Tasmania becomes.
“And I’d love to be a part of that.”
Stream free on
