Former Carlton and GWS Giants player turned podcaster extraordinaire Dylan Buckley returned to the footy field on the weekend, braving torrential rain as he pulled on the boots for Toora as a part of The Carlton Draft.
Buckley suited up as the fifth of six former AFL and AFLW players to make anticipated returns to local football in 2024, all part of this year’s rendition of the initiative – offering the ultimate opportunity for community footy clubs across Victoria to draft an ex-AFL legend as their new teammate.
He followed in the footsteps of the likes of Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin and 2022 Norm Smith Medallist Isaac Smith.
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Buckley braved the tough conditions as torrential rain wreaked havoc on the clash between Toora and Yinnar in the Mid Gippsland Football Netball League.
“Because of the rain and the weather, it was a genuine cow paddock!” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall began on Fox Footy’s Bounce.
Buckley amassed 16 disposals and four tackles but never stopped giving his all in the wet and wild conditions.
“He played everywhere, he hurt his back later on and had to spend some time forward, but he worked his butt off,” Dunstall said.
Isaac Smith stars on the Carlton Draft | 01:21
Buckley was absolutely crunched at one stage in the centre of the ground, as he looked to gather a loose ball.
“He played for a free kick there!” Dunstall joked.
“Flop!” laughed Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze.
Buckley played 41 games across his AFL career but now hosts one of Australia’s biggest sporting podcasts, Dyl and Friends.
Dunstall commended the locals for packing out Toora Recreation Reserve despite the “horrendous” weather conditions.
“What about the fans for coming out on a day like that, the weather was horrendous,” he said.
Toora went into the clash sitting in 11th place with a win-loss record of 2-10, while Yinnar were third with a record of 10-2.
Buckley couldn’t quite lift his side to victory, but they were far more competitive than in the reverse fixture, falling by 23 points compared to the 52 they lost by in round one.
St Kilda great and Fox Footy expert Leigh Montagna is set to lace up the boots for Castlemaine as it takes on Kangaroo Flat on August 10 to round out the 2024 rendition of The Carlton Draft.
Source Agencies
