CARLTON great Kade Simpson will hold a more prominent role within the club's AFLW program next season, with the Blues set to promote their former stalwart to a position as head of player development.

Simpson has spent the last two years working as an assistant under recently re-signed senior coach Daniel Harford, while he had also previously held a role as a line coach within the club's VFL affiliate team.

But the 37-year-old is set to be entrusted with more responsibilities within the AFLW football department, with Carlton keen to beef up its coaching group before the start of an 18-team competition later this year.

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The newly created role will put Simpson in charge of individualised training programs beyond the players' existing schedules at Ikon Park, while it's also expected he will work closely with the AFL side's development boss Luke Power.

It comes as the Blues place an added emphasis on player development ahead of the next AFLW season, with the club eyeing a return to finals for the first time since 2020.

The former defender will provide additional senior support to Harford, who extended his contract with Carlton for a further two seasons last week, while it's also expected that he will continue to fill a matchday role within the coaching panel.

Simpson remains a highly respected figure inside Carlton, having retired at the end of the 2020 season after a remarkable 342-game playing career that ranks third behind only Craig Bradley and Bruce Doull at the club.

Earlier this season, Simpson stepped in to provide coaching support for the men's side when senior coach Michael Voss, assistant Tim Clarke and football boss Brad Lloyd all entered the AFL's health and safety protocols. 

The Blues finished eighth in last season's AFLW competition with a 4-6 record.