St Kilda development coach Paul Hudson has been appointed the senior coach of the Saints’ VFL affiliate Sandringham for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Hudson will combine his role as Zebras coach with his duties at St Kilda, taking over from Simon McPhee who will transfer to the stand alone role as Saints Player Academy Manager.

McPhee was appointed as the Saints Player Academy Manager at the end of 2013 and will continue to work with Sandringham on match days.

Sandringham General Manager John Mennie welcomed Hudson’s appointment to the role.

“Paul has worked closely with Sandringham over the past three years in his time with St Kilda and is highly respected by players and coaches alike,” Mennie said.

“He has strong relationships with St Kilda-listed and standalone Sandringham players alike, as well as plenty of experience in development roles.”

Fellow St Kilda development coaches Lindsay Gilbee and Peta Searle will continue in their roles as assistant coaches at Sandringham.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said Hudson was the perfect candidate for the position.

“Paul has great credentials both from his time as an AFL player and in his experience working with junior and senior footballers across a number of roles,” Richardson said.

“With development such a key priority for our young list, this appointment is one that will be of great benefit to both the Sandringham and St Kilda football clubs.”

Hudson played 245 games, including the 1991 premiership and kicked 479 goals during his glittering 13-year AFL career with Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond.

After his playing days came to an end, Hudson tasted immediate coaching success with TAC Cup team Gippsland Power, taking them to a premiership in his first year in 2005. He coached them again in 2006 before joining the Brisbane Lions coaching panel.

Hudson later worked at Collingwood before moving to the Saints in 2011.