AFL HEAD of Development, 2021 Assistant Coach of the Year, now VFL Coach of the Carlton Reserves.

Luke Power added the title to his impressive coaching resume earlier today, taking the reins from Daniel O'Keefe as he leads the VFL side in 2023.

After three years with the football club and working closely with the VFL program, Power couldn't hide his excitement about taking the next step.

“It’s really exciting – it’s probably the most energised I’ve been for a long time,” Power said. 

“I understand from being involved in the VFL program over the last few years that it’s a really well-run program.” 

Senior coaching hasn’t been at the front of Power’s mind for long, but with all the experience and knowledge he has under his belt, it was the natural next step for someone who will combine his VFL Coach commitments with his role as AFL Head of Development.

Having solid relationships with the players and the staff in the VFL program, Power’s transition to senior coaching will be a seamless journey for the 2021 Assistant Coach of the Year winner. 

02:33

Power on energising new role, ready to lead at a VFL level

Newly appointed VFL Coach Luke Power sat down with Carlton Media to talk about his priorities coming into the program.

“It’s not something that I’ve thought about a lot – I must say, I’ve looked at Daniel [O’Keefe] over the last couple of years and Michael [Voss] at AFL level and I’ve often thought it would be great to manage a program,” he said. 

“I like to create a really safe environment where the players have the freedom to come in and really enjoy themselves and feel like they’re a part of something: those things will continue.” 

Observing the likes of O’Keefe and Voss in both of his roles, Power has gained a lot of experience and exposure to coaching nuances, as well as being coached himself by arguably one of the greatest coaches of all time in Leigh Matthews. 

Taking in bits and pieces from a variety of different sources, Power is hoping he can take what he likes to use in his own coaching in his first season at the helm. 

“I’ve learned a lot from [O’Keefe and Voss], I’ve learned a lot from our assistant coaches at AFL level, I’ve learned a lot from our coaches at VFL level,” he said.  

“I’m looking forward to taking a few of those things and putting them into practice myself.

"One thing that those guys do really well is they manage their staff and they give their staff and the expertise that they have within their programs the opportunity to be able to flourish. That’s one thing that I’m looking forward to to being able to generate.” 

In terms of priorities for the VFL side going forward, having made their first finals this year for the first time in a decade, Power wants to keep progression front of mind. 

Striking the balance between winning games of football while also developing both AFL and VFL-listed players - while making them feel included and safe in their environment - is a key objective.

06:00

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“There’s a few priorities. We’re pretty serious about the development of players, our AFL players firstly with our AFL coaches and then the development of our VFL players with the coaches and the staff that we bring in to give them every opportunity,” he said. 

“No doubt, winning is an important part of that but it’s not all about the wins and losses. I’m looking forward to being able to lead a really strong, high-performing environment at VFL level, that also has a bit of fun in it.” 

With the new match-day facilities opening at IKON Park, the VFL and VFLW programs now have state-of-the-art changerooms and training areas that will give them the best environment possible moving forward. 

Power noted that the elite standard shows the commitment that the Club has to the developing VFL and VFLW programs. 

“The Club is in a really strong position at the moment, both on and off the field: the facilities are part of that,” he said.  

“No doubt that the VFL and VFLW facilities are going to be really important for the players in those programs to feel like they’re a part of something and for the Club to commit to providing the facilities no doubt reflects that. 

“Also, the new indoor area. Being someone who works in development and works closely day-to-day with the players, to be able to have access to a state-of-the-art facility like that to be able to work on our skill acquisition is something that is going to be really big moving forward.”