THE CARLTON Football Club is pleased to announce that Mathew Buck will remain as the Senior Coach of the Blues’ AFLW program until at least the end of 2026.
After being appointed at the beginning of 2023, Buck has been pivotal in driving the program into a new era, helping to better align the high performance with leadership, and drive professional standards and behaviours within the playing group.
“I am honoured to continue as the AFLW Senior Coach at Carlton and the responsibility I hold is not lost on me,” Buck explained.
“The foundations we set last season will hold us in good stead. On-field we were in the top 8 for contested possession and for inside 50’s, increasing from our placings in the previous two seasons. Off-field, we created stronger awareness around game plan education and fostered an environment that supports constructive feedback.
“This Club has incredibly passionate supporters and a rich history, 160 years of it, I feel very grateful to be able to help write a small portion of this alongside our playing and coaching group.
“I want to thank our supporters and members who have come along for the journey thus far, just know our players and staff are committed to revamping the program to not only set us up for this season but for the years ahead.”
Working closely with the AFL program, alongside Michael Voss, Buck has been able to adopt and perpetuate the game plan synonymous with Carlton - contest and pressure.
No stranger to IKON Park, Buck previously worked in the Clubs’ VFL program, under the tutelage of now Senior Coach Luke Power, looking after the forward line and then the midfield.
With a coaching career spanning almost a decade to date and a professional background in education, Buck’s proven experience working with the younger demographic complements the Blues’ list – which currently has 18 of the side’s 31 listed players aged 23 years or under.
Carlton President Luke Sayers spoke highly of Mathew Buck’s clear and strategic vision for the program.
“Mat has shown his passion and dedication to fostering growth and development within our program. He is committed to creating an environment where our players' talent can be maximized to their utmost capacity,” Sayers said.
“Mat lives a club-first mentality and has helped shape the program into one the players buy into, and they trust in what he says.
“Mat, his wife Rachel, and their kids Oscar, Hugo, and Jack, have invested and sacrificed so much into our football Club.
"The Buck family truly embodies the values that are central to our football club - Respect, United, Humility, Excellence, Integrity, and Relentless.
"We are thrilled to have him remain at the helm, continuing to guide the team forward."
