Friday night’s NAB Cup clash between the Crows and Pies at AAMI Stadium will pit two rookie coaches - and best mates - head-to-head.
After two seasons as a player at the club he now coaches, Adelaide, Brenton Sanderson was traded to Collingwood, where he moved into a house with another young Magpie in his first year at the club, Nathan Buckley.
The following is an excerpt relating to the pair’s close bond from an interview with Sanderson in ‘The Pride’ magazine, which will be sent to eligible members and hit newsagency shelves later this month:
DURING his time at the Magpies in 1994, Sanderson lived with a young Nathan Buckley, whom he credits with helping him realise the level of professionalism required to play AFL football.
The pair has remained close, with Sanderson chosen to be the godfather to Buckley’s son, Jet.
As fate would have it, the two friends will start their senior coaching careers in the same year.
“’Bucks’ and I speak at least once a week,” Sanderson says.
“We bounce ideas off each other.
“He’s constantly asking me questions and I’m constantly asking him questions.
“There’s a real healthy respect there and a great friendship.
“We’re close, but we’re both super-competitive too.
“We play Collingwood twice, once in the NAB Cup and again in round nine … those games will be ones I really look forward to.
“While we’ll probably joke about it during the week, it’ll be gloves off when we play them.
“Collingwood would be a great side for us to try to knock off during the season.
“It would be great for our confidence if we can play well against the top sides.”
To read the rest of the exclusive interview with Brenton Sanderson, grab a copy of ‘The Pride- Season Guide’ available later this month.
Click here to purchase tickets to Friday night's match with Collingwood at AAMI Stadium and redeem the AFL's free kids ticket offer.
