The Carlton Football Club today confirmed three changes to the coaching panel for 2011.

Following discussions at the end of the season, Brett Montgomery and Matthew Lappin understood the club’s position in wishing to make changes to the coaching panel and a mutual decision was made not to extend their contracts for 2011.  Robert Harvey informed the club that he will be accepting a role as an Assistant Coach at his former club St Kilda, adding to the coaching changes at Carlton.

A Life Member of the Club, Lappin commenced his coaching duties following his retirement in 2007 after 251 games, including 196 with Carlton. In 2008 Lappin was the Blues’ development coach and for the past two seasons he has been in charge of the forward line.

Montgomery joined Carlton in November 2007 following his retirement during the 2007 season after 204 games with the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide, including the 2004 premiership with Port Adelaide. He has spent the past three seasons at Carlton, working as forwards coach in 2008 and as defensive coach for the past two seasons.

Harvey joined Carlton as a development coach prior to the 2009 season following his retirement at the conclusion of the 2008 season after playing 383 games for St Kilda. This season Harvey moved into an assistant coaching role at Carlton working with the midfield.

“We sincerely thank Robert, Matthew and Brett for their contribution to the Carlton Football Club, each having provided wonderful service to the Club and we wish them well for the future,” said General Manager Football Operations, Steven Icke.

“We will now seek to find the best possible people to join our coaching panel in what will be the first major changes to our coaching team for two seasons,” added Icke.