St Kilda has finalised its coaching staff with several key appointments ahead of the 2014 season.
Former Western Bulldogs half-back Lindsay Gilbee will join the Saints as a development coach, while former Melbourne, Sydney and Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly has accepted a role as part-time ruck coach.
Current St Kilda development coach Simon McPhee has been appointed as manager of the Saints’ Player Academy. McPhee will combine his current role as Sandringham senior coach together with his new role for the 2014 season ahead of the club separating the positions again in 2015.
McPhee takes over from Tony Micale in the Academy role, while Gilbee replaces Jaymie Graham and Jolly will replace Greg Doyle.
Gilbee played 206 games for the Bulldogs from 2001 to 2012. A right-footer who was considered one of the best kicks in the game during his time, he was named an All-Australian in 2006 and finished third in the Bulldogs’ best and fairest in 2005.
He represented Australia in the International Rules series in 2005 and 2006.
Dual premiership player Jolly played 237 games in a 13-year career at the Demons (48 games), the Swans (118) and the Magpies (71). He was a member of premiership teams in Sydney in 2005 and Collingwood in 2010.
McPhee has coached Sandringham for the past two years as part of his full-time role with St Kilda’s coaching staff. He had previously coached WAFL club Claremont in 2010, 2011 and part of 2009.
St Kilda Head of Football Chris Pelchen welcomed Gilbee and Jolly to the Saints while congratulating McPhee on his new role.
“Lindsay and Darren bring a wealth of football experience to their new roles and both will be wonderful assets to our club,” Pelchen said.
Jolly will work with St Kilda’s youthful ruck department, including new recruits Billy Longer and International Rookie Jason Holmes.
Gilbee will take on a role developing St Kilda’s younger players, working under McPhee.
“Simon has been an integral part of our coaching staff for the past two years and has already played a vital role in developing our younger players at Sandringham,” Pelchen said.
“He will combine his new role as player academy manager with his duties as Sandringham coach in 2014 with a view to having the roles split again in 2015.”
The three appointments follow the recent arrivals of senior coach Alan Richardson and defensive coach David Teague.
St Kilda coaching staff for 2014:
AFL Program:
Alan Richardson – Senior Coach
Adam Kingsley – Assistant Coach (Midfield)
Danny Sexton – Assistant Coach (Midfield)
David Teague – Assistant Coach (Backs)
Aaron Hamill – Assistant Coach (Forwards)
Darren Jolly – Rucks Coach (part-time)
Saints Player Academy:
Simon McPhee – Academy Manager
Paul Hudson – Development Coach
Lindsay Gilbee – Development Coach
