St Kilda Football Club wishes to advise of the following change to its football department.

Assistant Coach Aaron Hamill will take the reins of the Sandringham Zebras, St Kilda’s VFL affiliate, in 2018, replacing fellow Saints assistant Lindsay Gilbee.

Gilbee will remain in a key development role within the club’s coaching team.

General Manager of Football Performance Jamie Cox said the move was designed to continue to upskill and provide development opportunities to the Saints coaching staff.

“It’s really important for our coaches to have new challenges and opportunities to diversify their skills,” Cox said.

“Lindsay did a fantastic job at Sandringham this season, with a number of our players recapturing form with the Zebras before returning to play a vital role in the senior side.

“Aaron has also been a vital part of our group, looking after the forwards at AFL level and will now have responsibility of overseeing his own team in 2018.”

Hamill played 190 AFL games for Carlton and St Kilda between 1996 and 2006 and returned to the Saints in 2012 as an assistant coach.

Sandringham Football Club CEO John Mennie thanked Gilbee for his efforts this season, while welcoming Hamill to Sandy’s ranks.

“Lindsay’s insight and football knowledge has been invaluable for our young players this year,” Mennie said.

“We thank him for all his hard work and wish him well in his ongoing role at St Kilda.

“Having Aaron at the helm will be a great opportunity for both the younger Saints boys and the Sandringham listed players to learn off another really experienced AFL player and accomplished coach.”