Matthew Kreuzer has been appointed Carlton’s ruck coach for 2021.
Kreuzer called time on his AFL career in September after playing 189 games across 13 seasons for the Blues.
The 31-year-old worked with Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet during the 2020 season and will continue to mentor the pair next year.
“I loved my 13 years playing in the Navy Blue guernsey and to now have the chance to help the next generation come through is a great opportunity,” Kreuzer told Carlton’s website.
“I want this club to have the ultimate success and to still be able to play a role in helping us achieve that is an opportunity I am looking forward to and can’t wait to get to work when pre-season begins.”
Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd says Kreuzer returning to Carlton in a coaching capacity is a “perfect fit”.
“There are few people over the last decade who embody what it means to be a Carlton player and person more than Matthew,” Lloyd said.
“To have someone of his experience and knowledge, not just of the game but of our club, mentoring the next generation of Carlton ruckmen coming through, it is a perfect fit.
“A real focus for us is developing the players already on our list to ensure they get the most out of their ability and with the development program we now have in place, we feel we are well placed as a football club to achieve that.”