AFL trade period LIVE 2025: Blues reject Swans offer for Curnow; the text that got Buckley to Cats

New Western Bulldogs defender Connor Budarick admits he will be walking into “uncharted territory” when he arrives at Whitten Oval.

Budarick was traded to the Bulldogs on Tuesday and is looking to establish himself as a running halfback for his new club after Daniel Rioli and John Noble took charge of those roles at the Suns this past season.

The 24-year-old has played 55 games and grew up on the Gold Coast so it will be a big move to head south to Melbourne.

“I’ve lived all my life on the Goldy, so it was hard to walk away from my family and friends but for my footy career, it’s the best move,” Budarick told AFL trade radio on Wednesday.

Budarick doesn’t know any of the Bulldogs players well but is keen to build new bonds.

“Uncharted territory mate,” Budarick told AFL trade radio.

“There is not a whole lot of chemistry there but I’m looking forward to getting down there and meeting the blokes.

“I’ve had a few text message exchanges with some players, so it will be good to put some faces to names.”

Budarick loved Gold Coast’s run in the finals and wants to help the Bulldogs reach the top eight in 2026.

“It was great to get that taste of it this year and I’m hungry to get there again,” Budarick told AFL trade radio.

“I’m looking forward to going in and playing a small role to bring more success to that footy club.”

Nathan Buckley has revealed that a text message from Geelong coach Chris Scott last week was the spark behind coming on board with the Cats as an assistant coach in 2026.

Buckley, who coach Collingwood from 2012 until his departure through the 2021 season, guiding the Magpies into five finals campaigns, including the 2018 grand final, will be a full-time assistant to Scott. He has spent the past four years working in the media, and is expected to continue some work at Fox Footy.

“Chris Scott is not your quintessential coach. He comes at things from a different direction,” Buckley said on SEN on Wednesday.

“Scotty sent me a text last Tuesday out of the blue. He said if I had a chance could we chat. We had that conversation, he planted the seed.

“I met with Steve Hocking, Andrew Mackie and Chris [last Thursday]. We feel there’s a fit there for what I’m passionate about.

“I don’t think you’re ever half into something like this. If you’re committed to getting back into the cut and thrust of the game, that’s what I’ll be doing.”

Buckley also interviewed last month for the vacant Melbourne coaching role, but was overlooked for Cats assistant Steven King.

Buckley has ambitions for the inaugural Tasmania Devils coaching position, and he spoke to CEO Brendon Gale about the Geelong move.

“I said what would the Devils opinion be if this was to take place,” Buckley said.

“The feedback was that this would only prepare me better and put my claim further ahead and it would be supported.

“They still have some hurdles to cross with the licence and stadium. The senior coach fits in there somewhere, that’s on their timeline.

“Do I tread water in between that? I have to be thinking what am I doing with my life if I want to get back into coaching.

“My understanding is the Devils don’t feel they need their senior coach on deck immediately. Whoever gets employed by the Devils, invariably they’re in the football system now anyway.”

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