Nathan Buckley, Tania Minnici: Body language expert weighs in on split

A body language expert has revealed there’s little hope of a reconciliation for former AFL power couple Nathan Buckley and Tania Minnici, who announced their split last week after 18 years of marriage.

Holly Bartter, the founder of elite dating service Matchsmith, analysed photos of the exes taken outside their marital home in Melbourne on Tuesday, and concluded that they are most likely not on good terms. 

‘The pair kept a lot of space between them during this interaction and didn’t make much eye contact. In fact they seemed to be avoiding any niceties,’ Ms Bartter said.

Done and dusted: A body language expert has revealed there’s little hope of a reconciliation for former AFL power couple Nathan Buckley and Tania Minnici, who announced their split last week after 18 years of marriage. They were pictured looking tense outside their marital home in Melbourne on Tuesday

She also noted that the Buckleys seemed determined to have as little interaction with each other as possible.

‘Tania was keeping her focus on sweeping the driveway, and Nathan looked like he just wanted to get in and out as quickly as he could,’ she added.

According to Ms Bartter, the 48-year-old Collingwood head coach and his wife appeared ‘tense’ during their reunion.

‘It feels like they have both cooled off towards each other,’ she continued.

Tense: On Tuesday, Nathan was seen picking up his golf clubs from the home he once shared with his wife and their two sons, Ayce, 12, and Jett, 14, as a tense Tania swept leaves from the driveway. It was a strained interaction, with the part hardly acknowledging each other at all

Tense: On Tuesday, Nathan was seen picking up his golf clubs from the home he once shared with his wife and their two sons, Ayce, 12, and Jett, 14, as a tense Tania swept leaves from the driveway. It was a strained interaction, with the part hardly acknowledging each other at all

‘It’s unlikely these two are feeling very loving, perhaps resigned now to their separation and trying to protect their emotions by not have unnecessary contact and conversation while they both heal.’

On Tuesday, Nathan was seen picking up his golf clubs from the Melbourne home he once shared with his wife and their two sons, Ayce, 12, and Jett, 14, as a tense Tania swept leaves from the driveway.

It was a strained interaction between the estranged couple, with neither managing to muster a smile during the encounter.

Dressed in a grey knitted jumper and faded black jeans, Nathan collected his golf clubs before soon leaving the property.

At one stage, he watched on as Tania, who wore a sweatshirt and leggings, swept the driveway, but only stopped briefly to talk.

Analysis: Holly Bartter, the founder of dating service Matchsmith, noted the Buckleys seemed determined to have as little interaction with each other as possible. 'It's unlikely these two are feeling very loving, perhaps resigned now to their separation and trying to protect their emotions by not have unnecessary contact and conversation while they both heal,' she said

Analysis: Holly Bartter, the founder of dating service Matchsmith, noted the Buckleys seemed determined to have as little interaction with each other as possible. ‘It’s unlikely these two are feeling very loving, perhaps resigned now to their separation and trying to protect their emotions by not have unnecessary contact and conversation while they both heal,’ she said

The Buckleys issued a statement via Tania’s Instagram page on Friday, publicly announcing they’d separated 11 months ago. 

They have since been co-parenting their sons, but kept the surprise break-up largely under wraps.

‘It has been a tough and challenging year for every family and for ours included,’ the statement read. 

‘It is with the utmost of love and respect for each other and a true commitment to our sons, that we made a decision to separate in January.  

‘We remain dedicated parents and in the interests of our boys, we ask for our family to be given the privacy that is needed. 

End of the road: The Buckleys issued a statement via Tania's Instagram page on Friday, publicly announcing they'd separated 11 months ago

End of the road: The Buckleys issued a statement via Tania’s Instagram page on Friday, publicly announcing they’d separated 11 months ago 

Coming clean: 'It has been a tough and challenging year for every family and for ours included,' the statement read

Coming clean: ‘It has been a tough and challenging year for every family and for ours included,’ the statement read 

‘We thank everyone in advance for understanding our request and for the unconditional love and support we have received throughout our marriage.’ 

After the Magpies lost the AFL Grand Final to Richmond in Queensland, Nathan moved out of the family home when he returned to Melbourne.

He’s reportedly now staying at an apartment in South Yarra, which is owned by his friend Paul Roberts, a TLA sports executive.