RECENTLY-retired Carlton forward Matthew Lappin has accepted the role of assistant development coach with the Blues.

"We are pleased to announce that Matthew Lappin's long career with the Carlton Football Club will continue in 2008 with his appointment as assistant development coach," said General Manager Football Operations, Stephen Icke.

"Matthew has an outstanding knowledge of the game and he will play an important role in assisting to fast-track the development of our young players," he said.

"As well as imparting his football knowledge Matthew will also work with the players in their important role in Carlton's Community Program in 2008."

While retired from playing in the AFL, Lappin will continue his playing career with Carlton's VFL affiliate team the Northern Bullants, where he will assist playing coach, David Teague.

Carlton's senior coach Brett Ratten welcomed his former teammate back to the club as part of the new-look coaching panel at training on Monday morning.

"We are delighted that Matthew will continue his affiliation with the Carlton Football Club, he is a true Carlton person and he will be a great asset to our coaching team." 

Lappin played 196 games for Carlton after he was originally drafted by St Kilda in 1993 as a third-round selection (no.40 overall), where he played 55 games between 1994 and 1998.

Carlton secured Lappin during the 1998 exchange period, trading selections 22 (James Begley) and 53 (Troy Schwarze).

Lappin made an immediate impact at Carlton, taking the Mark of the Year in his first game (round one, 1999 v Essendon at the MCG), and he went on to have a distinguished career for the Blues, retiring after the round-20 match this year against Essendon at the MCG at the age of 31.

An All-Australian player in 2004, the same year he finished third in Carlton’s best and fairest wward, Lappin was a member of the 1999 Grand Final team and the 2005 and 2007 pre-season premiership teams.

He was Carlton’s leading goalkicker in 2001 and has represented Australia in five International Rules matches against Ireland.