SENIOR coaching aspirant John Barker has been promoted to Carlton's head of strategy and performance in a reshaped panel under Brendon Bolton.
Barker, who was a front-runner for the Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions vacancies won by Stuart Dew and Chris Fagan respectively, will move from the senior assistant and stoppages role he held in 2017.
The Blues said Barker would work closely with Bolton in key strategic and growth areas of the football program and drive the principles of the club’s high performance area.
"The appointment of John into his new role is a reflection of his strengths in strategy and people management," Blues football manager Andrew McKay told carltonfc.com.au.
Carlton appointed former Hawthorn assistant Cameron Bruce as its new senior assistant in August, while experienced coaching director Neil Craig departed after more than four decades in the game.
Bruce will look after the backline as well as overseeing training strategy and structure, while assistant David Teague, who joined the club from Adelaide, will coach the forward line.
Dale Amos has moved from the backline to take on the role of stoppages coach while assistant Tim Clarke will continue as midfield coach.
Barker is seen as a senior coach in waiting and has filled a variety of roles with the Blues since joining the club as forwards coach in 2011.
The 42-year-old already has 14 games coaching experience after being appointed as Carlton's interim coach in 2015 following Mick Malthouse's departure.
After 168 games with Hawthorn, Fitzroy and the Brisbane Lions, he started his coaching apprenticeship under Ross Lyon at St Kilda in 2007-08 and joined the Hawks for two seasons in 2009.
Boasting a commerce degree and experience in corporate banking and business advisory, he was an inaugural member of the AFL's Level Four coaching course in 2015.
In further changes to the Blues' panel, Shane Watson has moved from forwards coach to the new head of development role, with Brent Stanton and Jason Davenport in full-time development positions as VFL midfield and forward coaches respectively.
Former Adelaide forward Matthew Bode has joined the club as performance preparation coordinator, while Sav Rocca remains goalkicking and ruck coach.
