Harford played 162 games during his AFL playing career, which saw him represent both Hawthorn and Carlton between 1995 and 2004, he continued his football journey as a senior coach in Victoria’s football leagues.

In 2008, he coached Balwyn to a premiership in the Eastern Football League, before leading St Kevin’s to victory in 2015 in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

During the 2017 and 2018 AFLW season Harford was a senior assistant at Collingwood.

“I’m really honoured to be appointed senior coach of Carlton’s AFLW team,” Harford said.

“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 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," he said.