The Seven Network’s chairman Kerry Stokes has put his foot down declaring Nathan Buckley is not needed in the football station’s commentary box for the remainder of the AFL season. Buckley who resigned from his position as Collingwood coach two weeks ago, is in professional limbo as the AFL world eagerly awaits his next move. Many think or thought a return to the AFL free-to-air broadcaster as an expert commentator would be a fait a compli, considering his standing in the game and warmth from viewers. And while Stokes didn’t rule out a return to the network for Buckley, he did admit it won’t be an easy feat.“I would welcome the return of Nathan to Seven,” the owner told Sheahan Ink! “But we have Australia’s strongest commentators bench already, so he will have his work cut out to get a spot,” Stokes said. Stokes is referring to his team of Brian Taylor, Hamish McLachlan, James Brayshaw, Wayne Carey, Luke Hodge, Matthew Richardson and Daisy Pearce who leads the coverage Friday night. Buckley is considered hot property in the AFL media landscape. Fox Footy and Nine will be talking to his agent, as will Seven at some stage, but many in Buckley’s inner circle suggest time away from the game for the 48-year-old. He was a key member of the Seven commentary team in seasons 2008 and 2009 before joining then Magpies coach Mick Malthouse as his assistant.Now, Buckley is in a new relationship with Alex Pike and has two boys he would like to spend more time with, although an approach from the Gold Coast Suns is likely to throw a spanner in the works …. watch this space.Still on Kerry Stokes; the 80 year old confirmed he did launch an investigation into Sydney private jet firm ‘Execujet’ when the Australian Financial Review’s ‘rear window’ column published a photo of Stokes’ new $97 million Global Express 7500 jet. Professional plane spotter & photographer Grahame Hutchison provided the first images of Stokes’ new jet to the AFR and the Seven Network Chairman was livid.The jet, which Stokes hadn’t lay eyes on, turned up at Sydney airport on the 15th February ready to be presented to the reclusive Stokes.He called jet charter company Execujet about the breach of privacy and demanded and explanation.The charter firm called Hutchison to which he admitted tracking the jet via his own devices.Stokes’ investigation got their answer but not the answer they wanted.CARLTON HIDES CRITICAL CLEAN-UP Under fire Carlton coach David Teague was the subject of criminal abuse by irate Blues fans over the weekend with the front of Ikon Park defaced by graffiti. Club bosses panicked and ordered the removal of the abusive paint ‘before media’ Monday morning with cleaners beginning the frantic task at 5.30am Monday morning. The abuse was so bad, we’ve chosen not to print the remarks aimed at the under fire Teague, whose men displayed a poor performance last Saturday night in Sydney against the Greater Western Sydney Giants. SHEAHAN INK SECRET SHORTS * Nathan Buckley was spotted enjoying breakfast Wednesday morning at South Yarra hotspot, The Gilson, on Domain Rd with none other than his former head of football from the Magpies, Graham Wright. Buckley is a regular at the celebrity haunt, living ‘round the corner and often spotted walking the nearby Tan track. * Which AFL player was bombarded with phone calls from his partner prior to this week’s clash causing enormous stress to the defensive playmaker, with his partner doing her best to avoid having the family Range Rover repossessed?* Ross Lyon is weighing up a golden opportunity to coach Carlton. The 55-year-old media star and former AFL coach is believed to be considering a godfather offer to become top dog at the Blues with the club in the middle of a review to clean out the dead wood in order to move forward. Lyon raised eyebrows last weekend when he suggested Carlton should look at trading Victorian boy Adam Cerra who plays at Lyon’s former club, the Fremantle Dockers. * And then there was three …. Collingwood’s vacant coaching position is close to being filled with Mark Williams, Sam Mitchell and Michael Voss vying for the role. Its believed the Magpies have honed in on the three above to take Collingwood to its next premiership in the wake of club legend Nathan Buckley’s surprise resignation three weeks ago. The position is one of the most high profile yet stressful in the country coaching the legendary black and white colours. Who will be victorious?
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