Gary William Buckenara was born on 3 July 1958 and is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League and the Subiaco Football Club in the West Australian Football League.
12 Facts About Gary Buckenara
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Gary Buckenara 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.
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Gary Buckenara kicked 293 goals, won four premierships and played on one losing Grand Final team.
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Gary Buckenara played for his state regularly from 1979 onward and he was selected as the Western Australian captain.
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In November 1986, Gary Buckenara decided to move back to Perth with his family.
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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, Gary Buckenara had been offered the vice-captaincy.
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Gary Buckenara put the disappointment of the legal case behind him, and increased the 2-year option to three years, and proceeded to enjoy another stellar season with Hawthorn.
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Gary Buckenara's career ended early due to knee injuries, and he moved into coaching.
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Gary Buckenara was appointed senior coach of the Sydney Swans in 1992 but was sacked in the middle of the 1993 season, after eighteen straight losses.
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Gary Buckenara returned to his original club Subiaco to coach in 1995 and 1996 and is one of the staff at Hawthorn.
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Gary Buckenara has remained involved in football over the years, and is currently the general manager of Frankston in the Victorian Football League.
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In October 2018, Gary Buckenara gained further recognition from his home state for his sporting achievements when he was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Champions.