DANIEL Harford will coach Carlton’s AFLW team in 2019.

As foxfooty.com.au revealed on Monday night, the Blues have appointed Harford, who has crossed from bitter rivals Collingwood, where he was an assistant to Wayne Siekman this year.

Harford replaces Damien Keeping, who was sacked after the club won just two games this season.

“I relished my time in the AFLW system this year and it opened my eyes to the opportunities and challenges presented by women’s football. I’d like to thank the Collingwood Football Club for my time with their program over the past year,” Harford said.

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“I have a real passion for developing young football talent, so I hope I can build on the program that has already been established at the Blues, while also leaning on my previous coaching experience.

“I’m elated to continue my football journey at Carlton and I’m very thankful for the opportunity.”

The 41 year-old’s first task will be to convince captain Bri Davey to remain at Ikon Park instead of crossing to the Magpies, who have offered her a juicy contract and promise of more midfield time.

Harford will be joined by a new GM of women’s football, expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

That position was not advertised, unlike the AFLW senior coaching role which infamously went on SEEK.com.au.

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Daniel Harford is also a radio presenter at RSN. Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

His appointment allows the club to focus on retaining several star players, many of whom had become frustrated during a disastrous season.

The Blues also lost their list manager Graham Burgen. who had become disillusioned with various aspects of the coaching operations. It’s believed the role he vacated will be included in the new GM of football job.

“With this announcement, and the impending appointment of a new General Manager of Women’s Football at the Club, we have strengthened the program considerably as we continue to invest in women’s football,” Blues chief executive Cain Liddle said.

“We went through a thorough process to get the best candidate available and Daniel has significant experience and knowledge across a number of levels in football. There was a strong alignment in his values and teachings and that is what set him apart, so we are thrilled to welcome him back to the Carlton Football Club.”

Harford has built up an impressive coaching resume since leading Balwyn to an Eastern Football League premiership a decade ago. He also coached St Kevin’s Old Boys to a flag and promotion in B-Grade, before joining Collingwood’s AFLW program ahead of the season just gone.

One of the potential stumbling blocks to Harford becoming coach could have been his media commitments with 3AW and RSN radio, but both parties are content he will have enough time to lead the club off the bottom of the ladder in 2019.

Harford played 162 games, nine of which were for Carlton across a 10-year career.

Kate Jenkins, Chris Judd, Andrew McKay and Cain Liddle formed the panel that officially appointed the ex-Hawk and Blue in Monday.