Gary Buckenara

Gary William Buckenara (born 3 July 1958) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the Subiaco Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).

Renowned for his superb high marking and kicking skills, whether passing to teammates or shooting for goal, as well as his performances in "big games", Buckenara is one of a handful of footballers to be named in two separate Teams of the Century, both on the half-forward flank. After a brief coaching stint, the highlight of which was a runner-up finish with Subiaco, Buckenara returned to Hawthorn as an administrator and played a key role in the successful era under Alastair Clarkson.

Playing career Educated at Churchlands Senior High School, Buckenara was considered an outstanding junior footballer and cricketer. He admitted as a youngster he was more serious about his cricket, playing at the time with Scarborough Cricket Club in Western Australian Grade Cricket alongside test stars Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh, Sam Gannon, Mick Malone, Greg Shipperd and Tom Hogan. In 1979 he began his senior League career with and quickly attracted attention from Victorian clubs, finishing runner-up in the Tom Outridge Medal in each of his three seasons with the club. The Lions eventually agreed to lease Buckenara to Hawthorn for three years for $210,000 and after a court case began his career at Hawthorn.

During his time at Hawthorn, Buckenara played 154 games, usually playing in the centre or at half-forward when he had problems with his knees. He kicked 293 goals, won four premierships and played on one losing Grand Final team. He played for his state regularly from 1979 onward and he was selected as the Western Australian captain. In 1983, 85 and 86, he was named in the All Australian Team.

In 1985, after being omitted from the senior team for the Grand final, Buckenara kicked eight goals in Hawthorn's reserves premiership victory over .

In November 1986, Buckenara decided to move back to Perth with his family. The previous year, his mother Dawn had become paralysed following a serious car accident, and with the West Coast Eagles having been granted admission into the VFL for the next season, Buckenara had been offered the vice-captaincy.

Coaching and Administrative Career His career ended early due to knee injuries, and he moved into coaching. He was appointed senior coach of the Sydney Swans in 1992 but was sacked in the middle of the 1993 season, after eighteen straight losses. He returned to his original club Subiaco to coach in 1995 and 1996 and is now one of the staff at Hawthorn. In 2003, he was named in the Hawthorn Team of the Century.

Buckenara has remained involved in football over the years, and is currently the general manager of Frankston in the Victorian Football League.

Post-Career Honours In October 2018, Buckenara gained further recognition from his home state for his sporting achievements when he was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Champions.