VFL assistant coach Mat Buck embracing life at Carlton

The former South Warrnambool coach is five months into his role as Blues' assistant coach.

Buck, 37, is working alongside ex-Warrnambool player Dan O'Keefe who coaches Carlton's reserves.

"When I first moved up to do coaching at Werribee I spoke to Dan as a bit of a mentor," he told The Standard.

"We interviewed him on our Footy To You Webinar we do. He was talking about making sure if you've got aspirations to let people know.

"In the end I rang him and said 'I loved your webinar, I'd love to sit down and have a chat'.

"He said he'd be coaching Carlton reserves the next year (2021) as a standalone side.

"I said 'if there's any opportunity to help out, I'd love to come along'. It kind of went from there."

Buck, a father-of-three who is based in Geelong, said it had been "a whirlwind in terms of learning".

He is in charge of the Blues' forwards, working with former Collingwood and Adelaide player Ben Crocker, ex-Brisbane prospect Toby Wooller and Cody Hirst, who spent a short period on Sydney's list.

"We've had Mitch McGovern come through (the VFL), Eddie Betts was there early in the season and it's been a great thrill to watch Matt Owies doing what he's doing in the senior side after working with him in the pre-season and first few rounds," Buck said.

"That has been one of the big thrills being at an AFL-aligned club as well, that you get that extra buzz when they get put in the seniors."

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Buck, who is also working part-time as a teacher in Williamstown, has also been integrated into Carlton's AFL system.

"It's been an incredible experience. I have had full access to both programs," he said.

"When I can go in during the day I can be part of the AFL program and get treated like another coach.

"It's been incredible to sit next to Cam Bruce and listen to him explain to Harry McKay about how they want to play as a forward line and listen to how they deliver the feedback."

Buck arrived at Carlton via a 12-month stint at Werribee. He didn't have to look for to find a familiar face at Princes Park.

"Dan O'Keefe is the coach and he's a Warrnambool boy, Tim Brown does the running and he's a Warrnambool boy and Torin Baker is one of the assistant coaches as well and he coached Camperdown a few years back," he said.

"We have a nice south-west flavour going on which has been good fun. It's all supported by Luke Power who is the head of development at Carlton and has been absolutely terrific.

"Dan has been incredible to me and I am not really sure why to be honest.

"He is a great person and I have been really fortunate to get to know him.

"I am learning heaps and having great fun doing it."

Buck remains in contact with two of his mentors - Koroit's Chris McLaren and North Warrnambool Eagles' Adam Dowie.

"They could coach at any level, I am sure of it, with what they roll out week-to-week," he said.

"I take a lot about what I learnt from those two in particular about relationships with players, how to implement a game plan, what's important to teach, what's not important to teach."

Buck is unsure what opportunities will arise from being part of the VFL system.

But, for now, he's just "enjoying the ride".

"I'd like to do this and do it well and I'd be happy with that," he said of his assistant coaching role.

"One day if I could work an AFL club that would be amazing and you'd never knock it back but that's an extremely long way off."

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