AFL: Premiership-winning coach John Worsfold will join Carlton as a mentor to David Teague

As the pressure mounts on Carlton, rookie coach David Teague will get a mentoring lifeline from premiership winner John Worsfold.

The former Essendon and West Coast coach will join the Blues as a coaching consultant for the rest of the 2021 season and help Teague through his second full year in charge of Carlton.

Worsfold, who exited Essendon at the end of last year after five years as senior coach, will be in “regular contact with the coaching group and attend select games during the year in a mentorship capacity”.

Carlton head of football Brad Lloyd said Worsfold’s presence could benefit the entire football department.

“Our coaches demand that our players are doing everything they can to get better. They also have that same expectation on themselves, which is driven by our senior coach,“ Lloyd said.

“We’ve been in discussions with John for some time, given his existing relationship with David, so it’s terrific to now have this finalised and is another step forward in our commitment to bringing success to the Carlton Football Club.

“David and John have maintained their connection since their initial time in Perth, and as part of David’s personal development, John will observe a couple of games this year in a mentoring capacity. We are really pleased to be able to formalise that mentorship to now benefit the entire coaching staff.”

Worsfold, 52, spent three seasons with Teague during the pair’s time at West Coast as well as in Adelaide, having begun his coaching career as an assistant coach at the Blues in 2000.

Carlton has won just two of five games this season despite an off-season recruiting raid that netter Adam Saad from Essendon and Zac Williams from GWS, both on big-money deals.

The Blues play the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.