Nathan Buckley Responds To Criticism From Heritier Lumumba

"I read (his comments) this morning"


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Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has backed former player Heritier Lumuba, saying he "always looked out for" his concerns.

Lumumba criticised Collingwood in an interview with Fairfax Media, saying Buckley lacked "sensitivity and emotional intelligence".

Buckley was quizzed on those comments after his side's loss to Geelong on Saturday.

"I read (his comments) this morning and it's a bit sad, in many ways, that ‘H’ feels that way about his experiences in the game and he’s been a great contributor to our footy club for a decade for his 199 games, and I shared those times with him as a player and then as a coach," he told media.

"I suppose I’d echo the sentiments of the club, just hoping that he’s doing well and that he can still see the positives of his experience as an AFL footballer."

He had a laugh at Lumumba's quip about his emotional intelligence.

"He wouldn’t be the first bloke to think that," he said.

"Personally, I’ve always looked out for, and been aware of, H’s issues or his concerns or challenges, and tried to support him as best as I possibly can in my role as teammate, captain and then as line coach and senior coach.

"There’s a bit more that goes on than just the one anecdote in one moment."

Buckley also said he "didn't hear" the 'Chimp' nickname Lumumba claimed he had received.

"This has the capacity to get out bigger than it needs to be, but I'm conscious of H and where he's at at the moment and, as I said, hope he's doing well," he said.

Ethan Meldrum

19 August 2017

Article by:

Ethan Meldrum




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