Nathan Buckley’s girlfriend Alex Pike is ‘snubbed’ by Melbourne’s footy wives

Alex Pike climbed straight to the top of the WAG ladder after debuting her relationship with former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley several weeks ago.

And while Botox-loving celebrities are clamouring for an appointment with the cosmetic nurse at her South Yarra clinic, it appears Melbourne’s elite footy wives haven’t been quite so welcoming.

Senior WAGs Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel – the latter strictly speaking being a former WAG – are yet to formally introduce Alex to their social media followers. 

It’s common for top-tier WAGs to post photos with the up-and-coming wives and girlfriends of footballers as a gesture of goodwill.

But Alex is yet to feature on Rebecca or Nadia’s carefully curated Instagram feeds, leading to speculation they may view the 44-year-old as a threat.

The best friends are also yet to follow Alex or her thriving injectables practice, FACE by Alex Pike, on the social media platform. 

Interestingly, Alex follows Nadia, 36, but has chosen not to follow Rebecca, 38, who is perhaps Victoria’s most famous WAG. 

Rebecca, the wife of retired Carlton captain Chris Judd, is a known tastemaker among Melbourne’s glamorous elite.

Her endorsement can make or break the social careers of would-be WAGs. 

The model-turned-entrepreneur even gives the tick of approval to wives in other football codes – for example by following ex-NRL spouse Phoebe Burgess. 

Nadia, who is the ex-wife of Geelong great Jimmy Bartel, is less influential but known to have an unbreakable bond of friendship with Rebecca.

Her endorsement, therefore, can be seen as Rebecca’s approval by proxy. 

Despite being out of the senior WAG circle, Alex is still favoured by celebrities such as Pip Edwards, the co-founder of trendy activewear label P.E Nation. 

Alex quickly became the media’s favourite new WAG after going public with Nathan Buckley, who recently stepped down as Magpies coach.

The romance between the new couple, who have known each other since at least the start of the year, is said to be ‘effortless’.

‘They are happy. It’s all good. It’s just very easy and comfortable really. They have a genuine connection,’ a friend of the couple said recently.  

The source added that Alex isn’t after fame, and isn’t ‘daunted’ by the attention that comes with being a WAG either.

‘They are just into normal stuff, yoga, natural health, keeping fit and staying positive,’ they said.

Alex is a mother of three based in South Yarra, just outside Melbourne’s CBD, but also has a home and cosmetic clinic in Albury.

The pair’s relationship emerged just weeks after the champion midfielder announced his split from his wife of 18 years, Tania Minnici, last December.