Former St Kilda star Brendon Goddard has been appointed as the new senior coach of Sandringham Zebras in the VFL for the 2025 season. Goddard takes over the role from Jake Batchelor, who has been pivotal in the development of players at the Zebras since 2020.
St Kilda Football Club's Executive General Manager of Football, David Misson, expressed confidence in Goddard's potential as a coach.
“Brendon Goddard will coach our VFL team in 2025. We feel coaching the VFL will fast track his development. It will be a win-win for Sandringham and St Kilda,” Misson said on AFL Trade Radio.
Goddard, who enjoyed a stellar playing career from 2003 to 2018, is known for his leadership qualities, having captained Essendon during the tumultuous 2016 season.
He made a significant impact at St Kilda, where he played over 200 games, including three grand finals, before concluding his career with the Bombers.
In conjunction with Goddard's appointment, St Kilda has made other notable changes to its coaching structure. Former Melbourne and Geelong defender Jared Rivers is set to join the St Kilda coaching staff as an assistant, contributing his expertise to the team's development efforts.
As St Kilda continues to reconfigure its coaching lineup, the Saints are committed to building a robust pathway for their younger players.
Misson previously emphasised the importance of developing youth in his remarks about the coaching staff's extension ahead of the 2024 season: “Having a coach of [Corey Enright's] calibre and character is pivotal in seeing our youth maximise their potential”.
With Goddard at the helm of the Zebras, the club aims to foster a new generation of talent poised to make an impact in the AFL.