Sydney have confirmed the departure of VFL coach Jeremy Laidler, who has joined cross-town rivals GWS for 2023.

Laidler ventures to the Giants as an assistant under newly-arrived senior coach Adam Kingsley as the latest addition to GWS' new-look coaching brigade.

The Giants have already confirmed the additions of Port Adelaide assistant Brett Montgomery and Adelaide great Ben Hart for next season, with Laidler the newest inclusion for Kingsley.

The 33-year-old, who played 87 AFL games for the Cats, Blues and Swans, leaves Sydney after five years as the club's reserves coach, a position he took on after being named development coach.

Laidler is seen as a key figure in Swans defender Paddy McCartin's stunning restart to his career, with the ex-Saints forward having joined Sydney's VFL outfit last year.

"We say farewell to (Jeremy Laidler) who will take up a coaching opportunity with the GIANTS," a Swans statement to Twitter reads.ย 

"He has done a superb job over the past 5 years as Head Coach of our NEAFL/VFL team to fast track the development of our young players. Of course prior to this he played 61 games for the club.

"We are extremely grateful for all of his hard work & his significant contribution to the club and wish him, Amber and son Will all the best with the next chapter."

Meanwhile, Hawthorn have confirmed the appointment of Zane Littlejohn as their new development coach and Box Hill's senior coach.

Arriving from the Brisbane Lions as their development coach and head coach of the Lions' Academy, Littlejohn is set to help pioneer the Hawks' rebuild under Sam Mitchell.

โ€œZane's coaching and development pedigree allows us to return to the highly successful model of having the Box Hill coach full-time in our Hawthorn program,โ€ Hawks football boss Rob McCartney said.

โ€œWith Hawthorn drafting several Box Hill-listed players across the years, we have seen the benefit of the relationship and I have full faith in Zane's ability to further strengthen our Hawthorn-Box Hill connection.

โ€œThis role allows Zane to run his own program at Box Hill and to have an eye over the entirety of our young cohort's development which we see as really important.

โ€œAs a club we are focused on developing a new wave of talent to build us to our next premiership and Zane's role will be crucial in this.โ€

Littlejohn replaces departed Box Hill senior coach Clint Proctor at the Hawks.