It’s been two decades since Brendon Goddard first walked into St Kilda, drilling passes to the likes of teammates Lenny Hayes and Robert Harvey.
Now, sharing a kick on the same patch of turf with daughters Mackenzie, Billie and Halle, the passes don’t possess the same venom.
But make no mistake, the relentless mentality the two-time All-Australian was regarded for as a player remains.
Goddard is the latest addition to St Kilda’s new coaching panel headed up by Ross Lyon, joining the club in a development coaching role focused on getting the best out of the Saints’ crop of youngsters.
The 334-gamer will work under Damian Carroll in the club’s development space, as well as with Jake Batchelor as part of the club’s VFL affiliation with Sandringham.
“My last few years of my career were very much about development and helping the younger guys,” Goddard told saints.com.au.
“I grew a great appetite for that and had great pleasure in trying to help progress younger players and fast-track their development as much as I could.
“The thought of doing that in an official capacity at the club I used to play for and have great memories with, and with great people back involved who I have great respect for is really exciting.
Since retiring in 2018, the 37-year-old worked as director of football and senior assistant coach in St Kevin’s VAFA A-Grade premiership this year, alongside various media roles.
A potential return to football loomed before COVID-19 hit the AFL landscape and sent clubs to hub life.
Now, with the support of his family and backing of former coach Lyon, Goddard wants to help the club achieve the ultimate success he came so close to as a player.
“I’ve spoken to a number of past players who have gone on to be part of coaching groups and had success and win premierships who talk about the excitement around and the pleasure they’ve got from it,” Goddard said.
“Some of those guys have never tasted premiership success as I haven’t, but they describe it as being almost as satisfying as winning flags as a player.
“We’re in the business of winning premierships and that’s what we’re all here to do, to create an environment to help players develop into the best they can be.”
Goddard joins former teammates and new coaching acquisitions Hayes and Harvey at RSEA Park. The revamped group began mapping out their 2023 plans on Monday.
“I’ve got a very strong tie to the footy club and strong relationships with the people I was involved with,” Goddard said.
“The thought of coming back to the Saints was even more appealing when getting back with people you respect, have great memories with, and had great success with.”
The club also announced the return of David Misson on Friday, who will act as a key liaison between the faculties of coaching, high performance and medical.
Misson worked with Lyon at the Saints during his first stint at the club.
