TALENTED AFL midfielder Dylan ‘Dyl’ Buckley aims on reversing the fortunes of Toora when he teams up with the Magpies for a home game match against the Yinnar Pies as part of the Carlton Draft local football campaign.
Eight AFL legends have been recruited into the Carlton Draft with each champion to play a match with a local Victorian club.
Son of triple premiership Carlton player Jim Buckley and forty-one game AFL veteran himself playing for both the Blues and West Sydney Giants Buckley is not daunted by Toora’s lowly place on the mid-Gippsland league ladder.
“Staying alive will be my first priority,” said Buckley.
Buckley has not played a full match of football since 2019.
“Match fitness could be a problem,” Buckley said although he describes his fitness as good. “I’ve just completed a ten-kilometre run.”
Buckley is happy to play in any position on the day (July 20) describing himself as a ‘team player’.
“Getting the ball forward and hoping for sunny weather” that’s Buckley’s strategy.
Yinnar would be wise to take note.
As a raw twenty-year old Buckley kicked a goal for Carlton with his first kick in AFL football.
Playing for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in 2018 Buckley kicked two goals against Essendon.
Dyl Buckley is also the creator, producer, and host of two of Australia’s most popular sports-themed podcasts: Dyl & Friends and List Cloggers.
Buckley is also an avid golfer.
Ballarat born Buckley played his schoolboy football with Ivanhoe Grammar.
Buckley played TAC Cup football with the Northern Knights, was a member of the 2009 AIS-AFL Academy and represented Vic Metro in the 2010 AFL Under 18 Championships.
Described as a quick midfielder with excellent disposal skills Buckley is looking for a win against Yinnar.
“I’m after a scalp,” said Buckley.
Buckley played junior football for the Fitzroy Junior Football Club in the Yarra Junior Football League but never played country football.
“Toora needs a win.”
Dyl may never have played country football but his father Jim Buckley played his early football with Kyneton.
“He’ll be watching,” said Buckley, a bonus for Blues fans.
A number of AFL legends were coaxed out of retirement for the Carlton Draft including Trent Cotchin, Isaac Smith, Matthew Lloyd, Leigh Montagna and Erin Phillips.