Former Carlton development coach Luke Webster has been appointed to a similar role with the West Coast Eagles.

Webster, whose AFL career was cut short because of three knee reconstructions, assumes the development role that was created by the recent appointment of Jaymie Graham as senior coach at East Perth.

A former WA 18s captain, Webster will return to his East Perth roots, having played in the club’s 2001 premiership team before being rookie listed by Fremantle. He played 33 games for the Dockers before succumbing to injury.

Late in 2010 he was appointed as a development coach at Carlton and for the last three years the 33-year-old coached the Northern Blues, Carlton’s VFL affiliate.

 “We’re delighted to have Luke on board,” Craig Vozzo, General Manager – Football said today.

 “Luke has worked under a similar situation to the alignment we enjoy with East Perth and coming from the Royals where there is a strong connection he will understand the environment and culture.

“He will work closely with our other coaches and East Perth to progress the growth of all of the players at East Perth.”

There has been strong media speculation around Webster’s appointment, but it was finalised only in the last couple of days.