The St Kilda Saints have officially named the coaching panel for their VFL side for 2026, with club legend Brendon Goddard to take the reins of the standalone program as senior coach.
St Kilda announced in June their decision to end their affiliation with long-time feeder team Sandringham Zebras in the VFL, who had been working with the Moorabbin-based outfit since 2009. In 2026, the Saints will field their own VFL side under the St Kilda banner in the way most AFL teams now do in the reserves competition.
Goddard, who was the Zebras senior coach in 2025, will be joined by 2010 Norm Smith Medal winner Lenny Hayes and Grand Final teammate Farren Ray, with Hayes serving as the midfield coach. Ray returns to the club as VFL Development Coach, having previously held an assistant coaching role with St Kilda's inaugural AFLW program.
Decorated VAFA coach Simon Williams, who led Old Brighton to premiership glory in 2013 and Caufield to the same destiny in 2019, will be Goddard's senior assistant, while Damian Carroll has also moved over from Sandringham to St Kilda with Goddard as the forwards coach.
Goddard highlighted his excitement to get the season underway, pointing toward the improved ability to enhance player development with the new standalone program as he, Carroll and Hayes maintain their development coaching roles within the Saints AFL program.
“In an exciting new era for the club, it is a privilege to be joined by a panel of talented coaches to begin this next chapter of Saints footy as we launch our standalone VFL program,” Goddard said.
“This opportunity allows us to align our programs and strengthen our player development, game plan and list management.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our VFL staff and players to pre-season at Moorabbin on Monday as we begin our journey in the league in red, white and black.”
St Kilda VFL coaching panel
Senior coach - Brendon Goddard
Midfield coach - Lenny Hayes
Forwards coach - Damien Carroll
Senior assistant coach and backline coach - Simon Williams
Development coach - Farren Ray
