Buck's Stops Here

_{Alistair MacGlashan, Anthony Sacco, Nathan Buckley and Alan McConnell in Chicago, IL.}   

Two lucky members of the Chicago Australian Football Association were fortunate enough to catch up with a few visitors from the AFL over the weekend in the Windy City. Alistair MacGlashan and Anthony Sacco (both one-eyed Magpie Supporters) managed to meet with AFL Game Development Manager David Matthews and AFL legends Nathan Buckley and Alan McConnell while traveling through Chicago.

A great supporter of USFOOTY, this was not the first visit to Chicago for David who spent some time in the City of Big Shoulders with Kevin Sheedy and Kevin Morris after the 2004 USAFL Nationals.  For Nathan and Alan it was their first time in Chicago.

David, Nathan and Alan are currently visiting the Univeristy of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana, followed by further engagements on the east coast.

Nathan Buckley is one of the most highly decorated AFL players of all time. Six Copeland Trophies (Collingwood Best and Fairest), the 1993 Rising Star Award (Rookie of the Year), the 2002 Norm Smith Medal (AFL Grand Final B.O.G.), numerous All-Australian and International Rules Caps and of course the 2003 Brownlow Medal (AFL Best and Fairest) are just some of the awards he has won.  He payed 280 games for Brisbane and Collingwood (Captain 1999-2007) after a brief stint in the SANFL where in 1992 he won the Magarey Medal (SANFL B& F), the Port Adelaide B & F, the SANFL Grand Final B.O.G. while winning a Premiership with the Port Adelaide Magpies. 

He is currently in an assistant coaching position with the AIS-AFL Academy squad and is also coaching the Vic Country under-16s.  Nathan has numerous media comitments in particular with 3AW Football.

Alan McConnell is the AIS/AFL Academy High Performance Coach. Prior to his appointment to this role, McConnell, a former Western Bulldogs player who played 38 games with the club between 1980-82. He spent six years with Fitzroy from 1991-96, including stints as club senior coach before its merger with the then-Brisbane Bears, and seven years as a Geelong assistant coach from 1997-2003.

Most recently Alan was recognised with an Australian Sports Commission 2009 Australia Day Achievement Medallion.

- Alistair MacGlashan