SPEAKING to the media this morning, newly announced Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford was visibly thrilled to return to the Club where he finished his 162-game AFL career in 2004.

“It’s pretty cool to be back as a part of the Carlton community. I had a great time here as a player,” Harford said.

“I never thought I’d be back coaching in any capacity but I’m very excited about what lies ahead.

“When the vacancy opened up I was really keen to apply and see how I went and I’m rapt to be given the opportunity.”

After a 2018 AFLW campaign where a targeted Grand Final spot didn’t eventuate, Harford is keen to steady the ship and enable the team to reach its full potential in the coming seasons.

With experience in the assistant’s role at Collingwood during the 2018 AFLW season, Harford will bring both unique skills and a love of Carlton to a position that is pivotal for the Blues' AFLW players to develop and excel.

“My job is to get us back on track and steer things in the right direction from this point in time onwards,” he said.

“That experience I’ve had in the last seven months has been invaluable and I’m really keen to bring that with me.”

A panel of Kate Jenkins, Chris Judd, Andrew McKay and Cain Liddle clearly saw things the same way during a process that challenged the incoming coach to outline a plan that resulted in ongoing success for a talented Carlton women’s outfit.

“Presenting in front of them was quite daunting at the start but I really enjoyed conversing about footy and telling them what I think about footy, why I would be a good fit at the Carlton Footy Club,” Harford said.

“I actually loved the process, I didn’t know how it was going to go but it was fantastic.”

Aside from the excellent impressions Harford had of the people and culture of Carlton, the opportunity to be based out of the new home of women’s football was too exciting to pass up, with a $20 million boost to Ikon Park ensuring Carlton has first access to industry-leading facilities.

“We know the industry is going to go gangbusters in the next five, ten years and who knows what is does after that,” Harford said.

“So, to be at the home and hub of that from a footy club perspective is really exciting. We’re going to get great facilities out of it and great opportunities for our girls to be the best they can.”

One thing is for sure, Harford is sure to be a boost of enthusiasm and energy for the Blues as the VFLW season heats up and then the 2019 season of AFLW draws closer.

“You’d be stupid not to be a part of it or want to be a part of it,” he said.