St Kilda great Brendon Goddard has backed favoured contender Ross Lyon to take the senior coaching reins at Moorabbin, while sticking his own hand up to help the AFL's latest club in crisis.
While Lyon is yet to confirm an interest in the St Kilda job, the former Saints and Dockers coach is seen as the outright favourite to replace Brett Ratten, who was sacked earlier this week in a shock twist to the club's off-season.
The timing of the club's decision, which also came less than 100 days after Ratten signed a two-year extension, suggests the Saints may have a name already in mind.
That name is seen most likely to be Lyon's.
Speaking to The Herald Sun, Goddard backed Lyon to make a successful return to coaching for the first time since 2019 when he departed Fremantle.
“I'm a massive advocate and fan of Ross,” Goddard told the publication.
“There's no reason why he wouldn't be perfect for it, really. The game hasn't changed that much.
“He still watches it and he still loves footy and his methods and his plan around how to build a culture, that hasn't changed."
Goddard, a key piece in St Kilda's near-successes under Lyon in 2009 and 2010, has revealed he would be open to returning to Linton Street.
Should the Saints, or another AFL club come calling, Goddard said he'd be ready for a new venture in the coaches box.
“I'm pretty confident in my ability to see the game, know the game and be able to teach, essentially,” he said.
“I felt like I was pretty good (at that) as a player. I'd be pretty confident in doing anything, but a line coach or something along those lines.”
Another ex-St Kilda player in Jason Cripps has also been linked to a potential return to the club, with the Port Adelaide list manager understood to be of interest to the red, white and black.
The Saints' interest in Cripps come in the wake of a quiet player movement period for the club, while Port Adelaide enjoyed a stellar trade window in recruiting Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli.
According to 7 News Melbourne, Cripps has received contact from the Saints, whose own list manager, James Gallagher, is considering his future.
"(St Kilda) have reached out to Port Adelaide list boss and former Saint Jason Cripps about a role to bolster their recruiting team," reporter Mitch Cleary said.
"Cripps (is) fresh off landing Jason Horne-Francis in the trade period, but is seen as a long shot (to join St Kilda).
"Saints list manager James Gallagher weighing up committing back and forth from Adelaide."
Cripps played 60 games for the Saints between 1996-2002 and has been with Port Adelaide for 16 years.