CARLTON is set to appoint its VFL assistant Mathew Buck as the side's AFLW coach.
After an extensive six-week process, it's understood Buck was finalised as the club's next senior coach on Monday and will replace the recently departed Daniel Harford as the leader of the Blues' women's program from 2023 onwards.
Buck, who is already into his third season at Ikon Park, had been elevated into the position of senior assistant within the VFL program last November where he has worked closely alongside the club's head of development, Luke Power.
He had previously been the head coach of South Warrnambool in the Hampden Football Netball League for three seasons, while he has also held assistant roles at Koroit and development coaching roles at fellow VFL side Werribee.
Buck, who has an extensive background in education, has been providing optional skills development sessions with the club's women's players and is understood to have impressed Blues officials throughout the interview process.
Carlton had already announced that its next AFLW senior coach would take the role on a full-time basis, part of a number of sweeping changes to its women's program following the results of a wide-ranging review commissioned last year.
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The review resulted in the departure of former coach Harford following last season's disappointing 2-2-6 finish – its third straight season without finals – as well as football boss Brett Munro.
The Blues are expected to confirm Buck's appointment at a press conference on Tuesday.