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AAP
AAP
Sport
Oliver Caffrey

Silvagni links up with Lyon at St Kilda

Stephen Silvagni has returned to St Kilda as list manager, linking up with close friend Ross Lyon. (Daniel Pockett/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

St Kilda's significant football department revamp continues with Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni returning to the AFL club as list manager.

Silvagni is back at Moorabbin after he previously worked as an assistant coach during Ross Lyon's first stint as head coach with the Saints between 2007 and 2010.

The experienced Graeme Allan has also moved into the club's head of talent role after joining St Kilda back in 2018 in an advisory position.

It will be Silvagni's first official job at an AFL club since his acrimonious split from the Blues at the end of 2019 after five years as Carlton's list manager.

The 312-game great worked at GWS when the club was admitted into the AFL ahead of the 2012 season, before his switch to the Blues.

"It is an exciting time for the club to have two highly experienced football administrators come together to support the program," St Kilda chief executive Simon Lethlean said.

"Given Graeme's existing advisory role, his appointment to our head of talent and acquisition ensures a smooth transition, while Stephen adds another layer of experience to the program.

"Stephen will be focused on developing the club's overall list strategy, while supporting Graeme and the wider recruitment team with talent identification and acquisition as the club seeks to bolster and develop its list."

St Kilda's football department has changed dramatically since Brett Ratten's shock sacking as coach in October.

Lyon returned to the job at the Saints two weeks after Ratten's removal, 11 years after he left St Kilda to become Fremantle's coach ahead of the 2012 season.

Veteran administrator Geoff Walsh was appointed as the Saints' football manager.

"St Kilda has seen significant change to its playing list over the past four years, and to ensure the program has every opportunity to succeed now and into the future, we need to continue to invest in our recruitment strategy with a focus on bringing in more elite talent, whether that be through trade or draft," Lethlean said.

Allan and Silvagni will officially begin their roles on February 15.

Meanwhile, the Saints' key forward stocks have taken another hit with untried youngster Matt Allison needing surgery after suffering a foot fracture.

Allison had been impressing during the pre-season as a potential replacement for star forward Max King, who will miss at least the first month of the season with a shoulder injury.

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