Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley and triple-premiership winning Tiger Bachar Houli have been announced as the Norm Smith Medal presenter and premiership cup ambassador respectively for this year’s grand final.
Buckley coached the Magpies from 2012 to 2021, leading the club to five finals series including the 2018 Grand Final during that period.
It came after a stellar playing career from the champion midfielder, playing 280 games including in two further grand finals where he claimed the 2002 Norm Smith Medal as well as winning the 2003 Brownlow Medal, six best and fairests and seven All-Australians.
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Buckley is one of only four players to receive the Norm Smith in a losing grand final side since the medal was first introduced in 1979.
Meanwhile Houli hung up the boots at the end of last year after 232 AFL games and was instrumental in Richmond’s recent golden era in winning three flags while also claiming All-Australian honours in 2019.
Houli is also recognised for being a community leader, in particular his work with Australian Muslim communities.
The grand final will return to the MCG in its traditional day timeslot for the first time since 2019 after the last two deciders were forced interstate due to the pandemic.
