AFL greats Nathan Buckley and Tim Watson forced to hitchhike to AFL Gather Round commentating duties

It's been revealed that AFL legends Nathan Buckley and Tim Watson  were forced to hitchhike to their footy commentating jobs at the AFL's Gather Round on Friday.

The pair were guests at Saltram Wines in the Barossa on the weekend, but soon after they left the car they were in had a flat tyre.

Buckley's partner, Brodie Ryan, suggested they hitchhike into town - and luckily some friendly locals duly obliged.

'It wasn't ideal,' Ryan told the Herald Sun.

'We had a lovely lunch with the new owners, we were there as guests of Noel and Maree (Duncan), the founders of the SiSU Health Group.

'It's an amazing winery, I have visited when I was a Mildura girl, great food, amazing wine ... they just bought out a centenary wine called No 1.

'We had left the winery with Tim Watson knowing the boys had call times of 4.30 and 5.30 and were 15 minutes into the trip when we felt the tyre go.

'We were trying to help our driver change the tyre but the wrench broke... I asked the boys are you happy if I try to hitchhike us a ride?

'Luckily some locals, Michael and David, drove past that were at the Saltram Winery event and they noticed us and pulled over. 

'They were the saviours of the day and of the Fox footy broadcast and 7News and got Tim and Nath to their respective desks.'

Ryan previously told the Herald Sun that she and Buckley connected over their similar upbringings.

Despite their 17-year age gap, the Melbourne businesswoman said they have so much in common and that they push each other every day to be the best versions of themselves.

'Helping others be the best version of themselves and prioritising their mental health and wellbeing and giving back to others is a passion both Nath and I have always shared and these topics and different initiatives was a big attraction to each in the beginning,' she told the publication.

'We had very similar upbringings and share a lot of the same values due to this,' she continued.

'I have always been enthusiastic about helping others where I can, and to have a partner that exercises this same passion every day with his family, friends, and the wider community inspires me.'

Brodie said Nathan's public profile has given him the opportunity to help others through hardships and to give back, and that she is 'inspired' by the work he does.