St Kilda Football Club can confirm that Brendon Lade will depart the club and join the Western Bulldogs as an assistant coach.

Lade joined the Saints in 2019, following several years in the coaching programs at Richmond and Port Adelaide.

He held a number of coaching roles during his time at the club, leading the midfield and forward line across the men's program and also supporting St Kilda's AFLW side.

“It’s always difficult when quality people leave your program,” Head of Football Program David Rath said.

“With the ongoing football review, the club was not in a position to guarantee Brendon a contract at this time and as part of this we were open to Brendon exploring his options.

“Brendon has worked tirelessly across both our men's and women's programs, helping to develop our players and galvanise our football department, particularly through the COVID-impacted seasons.

“We wish Brendon, his wife Sarah and their two boys, Oscar and Jack, all the very best as they embark on their next chapter with the Bulldogs.”