Nathan Buckley's rumoured girlfriend after split with wife Tania
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is reportedly dating cosmetic nurse Alex Pike following his split with wife Tania last year.
Nathan and Tania Buckley released a joint statement in December confirming their split, admitting they hadn’t been together for most of the year.
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“It has been a tough and challenging year for every family and for ours included,” the statement said.
“It is with the utmost love and respect for each other and a true commitment to our sons, that we have made a decision to separate in January.”
Nathan and Tania have sons Jett, 14, and Ayce, 12, together.
According to the Herald Sun, Buckley is now dating mother-of-three Pike, with rumours swirling about their relationship since early this year.
"While keeping it discreet on social media, although following each other, the happy couple are not hiding their relationship from family and friends," the Herald reports.
The publication quoted an 'insider' as saying: “They are happy. It’s all good.
"It’s just very easy and comfortable really. They have a genuine connection.”
Pike was signed to a modelling agency after taking part in a Dolly Cover Girl competition as a 12-year-old.
The 43-year-old went on to study nursing and started her career in a plastic surgery ward.
She worked with renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr Bryan Mendelson before launching her own business - 'Face by Alex Pike' - doing dermal fillers, double chin treatment, facial slimming, jawline sculpting, anti-wrinkle injections and skin care.
Nathan and Tania married on New Year’s Eve in 2002, becoming a glamour couple of the AFL.
He played 260 games for Collingwood before retiring in 2007, before becoming the Magpies’ senior coach in 2012.
Nathan Buckley eager to continue at Collingwood
Meanwhile, Buckley is adamant he has the energy to lead the embattled Magpies through what he concedes has become a "reset" of its on-field direction.
The out-of-contract 48-year-old's steadfast position comes amid ongoing speculation over his coaching future and turmoil at board level.
Less than a month ago, Buckley said he was "absolutely" aligned with new club president Mark Korda's belief that finals were still on the agenda in 2021.
But the Magpies have since slipped to 2-7 ahead of Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide.
At his weekly press conference on Friday, Buckley left no doubt over his belief that the club is now in regeneration mode.
"The message for Collingwood people would be that your expectations would be adjusted by now," Buckley said.
"We've had three pretty good years in finals ... and if you looked back you would've been pleasantly surprised after the five years leading up to that.
"We're resetting now and we believe that whilst we've still got some experience in the side and we feel like we're underperforming in the short term, we've got the capacity to play better footy."
Collingwood rank 15th for scoring after nine rounds and face a tough month leading into the bye, with matches against top-eight sides Port Adelaide, Geelong and Melbourne, as well as a trip to face the Crows in Adelaide.
Senior players Taylor Adams (knee) and Jordan Roughead (concussion) are back from injury to take on the Power at the MCG.
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