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Brendon Bolton outlines plan to bring Blues back

New Carlton coach Brendon Bolton has outlined his blueprint for success at the AFL club but has refused to put a timeline on when that will be achieved.

Bolton was announced as Mick Malthouse’s permanent replacement on Tuesday after the Hawthorn assistant coach’s appointment was ratified unanimously by the club’s board on Monday night.

In a break from tradition, Bolton was appointed as a full-time member of staff rather than signing a set-term contract.

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“I want to try and establish a sustained platform and that’s about building relationships, it’s about creating a learning environment and it’s about open and honest communication,” Bolton said.

“I’m not going to sit here and put a time frame on it but we’re all going to be looking at trying to invest in people and with constant development we’ll see where that goes.”

Bolton would not be drawn on his plans for the Blues’ playing list or the make-up of his coaching panel as the club still has two matches left to play this season.

Bolton narrowly beat Blues interim coach John Barker for the role.

Barker will oversee the final two matches of 2015, but his role beyond that remains unclear.

Hawthorn will let Bolton leave this week so he can start at Carlton, with his duties at the Hawks to be taken by development coach Damian Carroll.

Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox said they spoke to Bolton and Carlton about the timing of the coach’s move.

“In considering the Hawks’ upcoming finals campaign, we have consulted with both Brendon and Carlton and agreed upon a transition period to take place over the next three days,” Fox said in a club statement.

“This will allow time for Brendon to hand over his duties to Damian Carroll before turning his focus to his new challenge.

“Understandably, Brendon is eager to begin in his new role and we don’t believe it would be feasible for him to split his focus across Carlton and our upcoming finals series.

“We have a number of capable coaches within the club who can step in over the next two weeks and beyond.”

Bolton will be the fifth of Hawthorn head coach Alastair Clarkson’s assistants to become a senior coach at a rival club, following Damien Hardwick (Richmond), Leon Cameron (GWS), Adam Simpson (West Coast) and Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs).

“In his time at Hawthorn, Brendon has displayed a fantastic ability to build strong relationships with the playing and coaching group and his teaching background enables him to develop players,” Clarkson said.

“He is well-placed for the transition into senior coaching, which is thoroughly deserved on the back of an impressive coaching apprenticeship.

“We would like to thank him for his contribution to Hawthorn and wish Brendon and his wife Louisa and their children Ned and Rosie well.”

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