THE TEAGUE Train will roll on at Carlton.
After a thorough interview process, the Blues have officially announced David Teague as the club's new full-time coach at a media conference at Ikon Park on Thursday.
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It is believed the final stages of Teague's pitch for the job were signed off early in the week, and Teague was formally told late Wednesday afternoon of the board's official endorsement.
Carlton officials on Wednesday night were telling their players of the decision ahead of Thursday's official announcement.
David Teague celebrates his first win as interim coach against Brisbane in round 12. Picture: AFL Photos
The 38-year-old took the reins as the club's caretaker coach in June following the sacking of Brendon Bolton, guiding the Blues to five wins from his first seven games in charge.
He won the backing of several key senior players, including co-captain Patrick Cripps, with the influence of the playing group believed to be a significant factor in his appointment.
The club approached several candidates for the position, ranging from Hawthorn coaching legend Alastair Clarkson to Port Adelaide assistant Michael Voss, but landed on Teague.
A former 83-game player himself, Teague represented Carlton on 50 occasions between 2004 and 2007 and was a best-and-fairest winner in his first season at the Blues. He has since enjoyed a successful career in coaching, including a stint as senior coach of Carlton's VFL affiliate the Northern Bullants between 2008 and 2010.
He was then an assistant coach with AFL clubs West Coast, St Kilda and Adelaide, before returning to Carlton as its forward coach ahead of the 2018 campaign.
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