The Carlton Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Kreuzer as ruck coach of its AFL side.

A heart and soul player during his 13 seasons in the Navy Blue, Kreuzer will now hand down his knowledge to the next era of ruckmen at Ikon Park.

The 31-year-old was already an active mentor for his teammates during the final season of his career and that role will now be formalised as the Club’s AFL ruck coach.

He will continue to work closely with both Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet throughout the 2021 campaign.

De Koning and Pittonet both burst onto the AFL scene this year as they shared the No.1 ruck role during the season and will continue to have the benefit of their former teammate’s experience and guidance as they look to take their development to the next level.

Kreuzer said he was looking forward to beginning his next chapter at the football club. 

“I loved my 13 years playing in the Navy Blue guernsey and to now have the chance to help the next generation come through is a great opportunity,” Kreuzer said.

“I want this club to have the ultimate success and to still be able to play a role in helping us achieve that is an opportunity I am looking forward to and can’t wait to get to work when pre-season begins.”

Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd said the Club’s development pathway would continue to go from strength to strength with people of Kreuzer’s quality involved.

“There are few people over the last decade who embody what it means to be a Carlton player and person more than Matthew,” Lloyd said.

“To have someone of his experience and knowledge, not just of the game but of our club, mentoring the next generation of Carlton ruckmen coming through, it is a perfect fit.

 “A real focus for us is developing the players already on our list to ensure they get the most out of their ability and with the development program we now have in place, we feel we are well placed as a football club to achieve that.”