Carlton has welcomed its newest development coach for the 2026 season.
THE CARLTON Football Club is pleased to today announce the appointment of Ash Close as a development coach.
Close arrives at IKON Park with over 15 years of experience in football, including 10 years at the Collingwood Football Club as both an analyst and development coach.
With recent experience in the elite talent pathway with the Eastern Ranges and Oakleigh Chargers, Close joins the Blues after two years in the Coates Talent League Boys, where he coached pick No.3 Jagga Smith (2024) and NGA and Carlton Academy prospect Jack Ison (2025) at the Chargers.
Working closely with new Head of Development Jordan Russell and development coach Torin Baker, Close was previously a VFL player for the Magpies, as well as completing a Bachelor of Business Administration and Sports and Leisure management degree.
Welcome to the Blues, Leigh Adams and Damian Truslove!
We’ve confirmed our coaching structure for 2026 🤝
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) October 3, 2025
“I couldn’t be more pumped to be joining the Blues as a development coach,” Close said.
“I have a real passion in developing up-and-coming talent and believe Carlton has a core group of young players now emerging who can really take the Club forward. I can’t wait to build a strong connection with every one of them and get to work on making sure they maximise their potential and represent the Club at the elite level.
“I am all in on the direction of this club: the football department is certainly going to have a fresh look about it come day one of pre-season, so I’m keen to play my role alongside Jordan and the rest of the team in empowering this group of players we have coming through.”
I can’t wait to build a strong connection with every one of them and get to work on making sure they maximise their potential and represent the Club at the elite level.
Carlton General Manager of Football Chris Davies said the Blues are very pleased to welcome another experienced coach to the 2026 line-up.
“We’re happy to have secured Ash as development coach. With over 15 years of experience in the football environment, including 10 of those in the AFL system, Ash brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism and a strong track record in developing talent.
“He will be a great asset to our football program, bringing a skillset that complements our existing coaches. We’re excited about the impact he’ll have on the growth of our emerging players and the broader team.
“Ash’s appointment is another step towards a fresh approach for our football program heading into 2026, with a coaching group that is well-rounded, experienced and aligned, with a focus on supporting our playing group to get the absolute most out of themselves when representing our football club.”
Ash Close joins Josh Fraser, Leigh Adams and Damian Truslove as new additions to the Carlton coaching group for the 2026 AFL season.