The Carlton Football Club is pleased to confirm AFLW Senior Coach Mathew Buck has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the helm through to the end of 2028.
Buck arrived at IKON Park in 2021 as VFL senior assistant coach, working across the forward line and midfield before stepping up to AFLW Senior Coach in 2023.
With a coaching career spanning almost a decade and a professional background in education, Buck initially took up an interim role with the AFLW players focusing on fundamental skills, whilst the Club was in the process of recruiting its next Senior Coach.
During that period though the connections he formed made him a leading candidate, and three seasons on, the Blues have become known for their exciting, fast-paced style of football.
The Club’s surged in 2025, climbing from 14th to fifth with an 8-6 record and booking Carlton's first finals appearance since 2020, as the Club progressed to a preliminary final.
Buck said he was honoured to continue leading the program.
"As a collective we have grown an elite program at the Blues over the past few years, and I'm grateful to the players, staff and the Club for trusting me to keep driving it forward," Buck said.
"The support myself and my family have felt from everyone at the Club, especially from our Board, Graham Wright and Chris Davies, has meant a lot and it is something not lost on us.
"We are staring to show what this group is capable of but I’m firmly of the belief we are only at the beginning. There's a genuine belief inside this playing group that we can go further, and I am excited to continue to play a part in that and lead them for at least the next two years."
On-field fans can see the evolution of a contest-and-pressure style built from an environment where players trust the game plan. Off-field, a fun loving but hardworking and dedicated group who know when to put in the work and when to have a dance break.
Buck has played a crucial role in fostering such an elite and inclusive environment, alongside the playing group and staff.
During this time the program has seen its young players in Poppy Scholz, Sophie McKay and Keeley Sherar flourish and emerge as genuine stars of the competition. Whilst other players like Harriet Cordner, Erone Fitzpatrick and Dayna Finn have produced the best football of their careers in Navy Blue.
Head of AFLW Eleni Valos said the decision to extend Buck reflected the belief the Club has in him.
"Mathew has been a central pillar to everything we have built over the past three years, and his impact goes well beyond results," Valos said.
"The way Mathew, and the other coaches develop players, both as footballers and as people is what sets this program apart. He has a great ability to build genuine relationships with his playing group, to understand what each individual needs and create an environment where they feel safe to grow and challenge themselves.
"We have seen experienced players reach new heights, and young players develop into genuine stars of the competition, a reflection of the trust Mathew has built with each player, as a coach and as a person.
"This has become a program that players and staff want to be part of, Mathew has been central to that, and we are very excited about what he can continue to build with this group."
