St Kilda is getting the band back together under Ross Lyon, with former star Brendon Goddard joining the club as a development coach.
His appointment is the second significant signing since Lyon’s appointment, with the club having already lured Robert Harvey back as an assistant coach from Hawthorn, and fellow club champion Lenny Hayes already in place in a coaching role before the decision was made to sack Brett Ratten.
Days gone by: Brendon Goddard is one former Saint to have endorsed the possible return of Ross Lyon to Moorabbin.Credit:Sebastian Costanzo
Goddard had a brilliant career at St Kilda, playing 205 games before he joined Essendon as a free agent in 2013 and playing a further 129 matches – most of his period at the club played under the clouds of the drugs saga. Goddard became captain of Essendon in 2016 and was eventually named a life member of the club.
But it was at St Kilda where he built his reputation after being selected with the No.1 draft pick in the 2002 national draft, with his performance in the second half of the 2010 drawn grand final his most memorable moment for the club.
Brendon Goddard in action for the Saints.Credit:Sebastian Costanzo
Goddard has been working as director of football and senior assistant coach at VAFA club St Kevin’s, and has been looking to return to the AFL.
The Saints are yet to release the findings of the review of their football department, which led to the appointment of Geoff Walsh as football manager and a realignment of roles. Through that process, club president Andrew Bassat decided to move on Ratten and work to secure Lyon as coach.
The club will also appoint David Misson as conditioning boss and clarify roles of other members of the football department, including David Rath, list manager James Gallagher and former Hawk Jarryd Roughead.
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