



Harry's holiday fuels Buckley rift rumours


O'Brien, also nursing an ankle injury, was not at the MCG for Friday night's clash against Carlton.

The Magpies confirmed to Fairfax Media O'Brien had been given two days off, as it emerged he had had a disagreement and exchanged words with Buckley during the week.

The Magpies say O'Brien will return in time for training on Monday. However, there is no guarantee that will happen. There were reports on Friday night O'Brien had been seen at Melbourne airport.

It was unclear what the argument with Buckley was over, but it's understood to have occurred early in the week.

Buckley has worked to instil greater discipline, particularly off the field, and has turned to leadership company Leading Teams to help with this.

There have been suggestions through the season of friction between the coach and some of his older players. It's understood some players have struggled to embrace a more rigid philosophy than the one they experienced under former coach Mick Malthouse.

Amid talk of a fall-out with senior stars last month, Buckley praised his veteran players and denied the so-called Rat Pack was involved in a power play, declaring his entire list understood there were "non-negotiables" to abide by.

That came after Heath Shaw was dumped for poor skinfolds, Dane Swan commented during a television interview after the win over Brisbane that he should always be used in the midfield, while Dale Thomas was unhappy at Darren Jolly's criticism of former teammate Josh Fraser in a Fairfax Media column.

O'Brien has also been involved in another much publicised issue this season, when he criticised Eddie McGuire after the Magpies president suggested Indigenous superstar Adam Goodes should be used to promote the King Kong musical.

The matter weighed heavily on O'Brien, who even debated the issue with McGuire on television. The pair later settled their differences.

The dashing half-back, who has also spent time on the wing this year and had been playing well, has carried an ankle injury for a few weeks, believed to be floating bone.

It was unclear whether he would be available to play Adelaide next weekend.

Featured advertisers