Jack Buckley is the son of former North Melbourne player and chairman Ben Buckley. He joined GWS as a Category B Rookie ahead of the 2018 season, having previously been a member of the Swans Academy. After struggling to break into the lineup, Buckley debuted in round 17 of 2020 on the wing before a severe ACL injury in 2021 forced him to miss over 600 days of football. He made an emotional comeback in 2023, establishing himself as one of the competition's best key defenders alongside Sam Taylor in one of the AFL's most formidable defensive duos. Buckley won the NEAFL Player of the Year in 2020, the Coaches Award in 2023, and Best Finals Player in 2024.