CARLTON has finalised its new-look coaching group under Brendon Bolton, with former Adelaide coach Neil Craig to oversee the young panel as director of coaching.
The Blues have announced new coaches Dale Amos, Shane Watson and Tim Clarke will join the club from Geelong, North Melbourne and Richmond respectively, while John Barker will stay at the club after missing out on the senior position.
Matthew Capuano will remain at the Blues as a specialist ruck coach and development coach, while out-of-contract assistant Brad Green and development coaches Michael Osborne and Luke Webster will depart.
Most recently the general manager of performance with Essendon, Craig has long been linked to the Blues given his ties to CEO Steven Trigg, who appointed him coach when the pair were with Adelaide.
Barker had attracted interest from rival clubs after making a strong impression as interim coach, but he has decided to remain at the club in the new role of stoppages coach.
Clarke, who played 96 games for Hawthorn, has been highly rated for a number of years as Richmond's VFL coach and has been appointed midfield coach.
Watson will take control of the Blues' forward line after leaving North Melbourne, while Amos will be Bolton's backline coach.
Bolton has assembled a young panel of coaches that have significant experience in development and VFL roles, which will suit the Blues' rebuilding list.
"I am absolutely delighted with the talent we have been able to secure – they’re all people with the right experience and right attitude to help educate and develop our players," Bolton said on the club's website.
"One of the key attributes shared by those coming on board is their holistic approach to people and player development, while all have coached their own team.
"It’s a young coaching team, being well complemented with the experience and counsel of Neil, and it’s a team who I am confident will grow with our playing list and eventually lead this football club to where we all want it to be."
Essendon said in a statement that Craig had made a significant contribution to the club's football department.
"Neil joined Essendon at a very difficult time and he provided incredible support and leadership within the football department as we navigated our way through an extremely complex environment,” club CEO Xavier Campbell said.
“Neil is a great football person, his wealth of knowledge, professionalism and experience has been a great resource for our football department staff and players."
The new coaches have been selected after extensive interviews with former player Ken Sheldon, head of football Andrew McKay, and Bolton.
The Blues have been interviewing assistant coach candidates for almost two weeks after a spill of all positions, with Dean Laidley and Robert Wiley departing.
The Blues will also restructure their medical department, with Joel Hocking promoted to physical performance manager.
