Carlton development coach Daniel O’Keefe will depart the Club after making the decision to step away from football to spend more time with his family.

O’Keefe will relocate to regional Victoria with his family for lifestyle reasons and his move comes after more than a decade developing young players into elite-level talent, which the Blues have been fortunate to benefit from since O’Keefe landed at IKON Park at the end of 2019.

O’Keefe’s legacy at the Club has been solidified in the fact he played a pivotal role in establishing Carlton’s first standalone VFL side in 19 years.

Arriving at the Blues with a wealth of experience gained at the Geelong Falcons, Geelong Football League, Vic Country and the Geelong Cats, O’Keefe has worked closely with Carlton’s Head of Development Luke Power in putting in place what is now an effective and clear development pathway for every AFL player who wears the Navy Blue.

This can be evidenced by the fact that nine of the Club’s 13 draftees selected in the last three years have made their senior debuts.

Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd praised O’Keefe for his contribution as well as his willingness to put his family first.

“Dan has left a lasting mark on our Club that we will continue to reap the benefits for years to come,” Lloyd said.

“His ability to connect with, and get the best out of, emerging talent is outstanding in its own right, while his willingness to embrace the responsibility of building our VFL program from the ground up could not be more appreciated.

“That commitment comes with a significant investment, both physically and mentally. To have the conviction to make an important life decision for the betterment of his family tells you everything you need to know about who Dan is a person.

“Our development program is in a real strong position for the long term and Dan has played a significant part in contributing towards that. Our entire football club wishes him and his family all the best for what is an exciting new chapter in their lives.”

O’Keefe said he was incredibly grateful for the opportunity afforded him at the Blues and highlighted it’s one he doesn’t take for granted.

“I’m so grateful for the time I’ve spent at the Blues and I’d like to particularly thank Brad Lloyd and Luke Power for the opportunity they gave me at this great club. Their belief in me and the VFL team is what has allowed me to leave the program in the strong position it’s now in.”

The Club will now commence the recruitment process to replace O’Keefe, with a selection panel to be established in the coming weeks.