NEW Sandringham Zebras senior coach Paul Hudson has an unblemished record as a VFL coach.

He took over the reigns from Simon McPhee for one game and one win early last season against the Frankston Dolphins, and while the ex-Hawthorn, Bulldogs and Richmond forward was more than happy to play a supporting hand for the remainder of the year, Hudson has conceded this experience whetted his appetite for another senior coaching role.

“I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season,” Hudson told SAINTS.com.au in his first in-depth interview since being appointed in October last year.

“I’ve been in development for the past four years so was happy to help out when Simon had to step away for a week last year.

“Ever since I arrived at St Kilda in 2008 I’ve been on a constant learning curve, not just educating myself about coaching but also the game itself. I feel this experience holds me in good stead to be a senior coach again.”

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Following a playing career that spanned 245 games and yielded 479 goals, Hudson turned his attention to coaching at the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood and TAC Cup team Gippsland Power.

Throughout each of these roles, the 44-year-old committed to a style of coaching that is not only invigorating and wholehearted, but also hands-on.

“There are some challenges being a coach,” he said.

“You’ve got to be a psychologist, a mentor, a coach, a father, a tactician and possess excellent managerial skills… I’m genuinely excited.”

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Hudson’s standard week sees him spending Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at St Kilda from 7am-3pm, before driving to Trevor Barker Beach Oval to mentor the Sandringham-listed players. On these days, he won’t get home until at least 9.30pm.

This commitment is one insight to Hudson’s thirst for success and given his development coach background, his desire to rapidly improve the players he looks after.

Signing Trent Dennis-Lane, Clint Jones and ex-Cat Mitch Brown to contracts with the Zebras will not only fast-track the talented but raw brigade of Saints youngsters in 2015, but also position the club for an assault on a premiership.

“We’ve got a lot of talent coming in this year,” Hudson said with the smile of a carpenter with brand new tools.

“Trent and Clint will take on more of a coaching role out on the ground, I’m encouraging them to do that. It’s going to help our younger guys and hopefully fast-track Jack Lonie and Daniel McKenzie.

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Hudson coaching Sandringham last season. (Photo: Dave Savell)

“When those guys come in they will have a bit more experience around them in the areas that they’re involved in.

“We’re going to have a very strong list and we could finish top four. We won one final last year against Collingwood before losing to Port Melbourne… The sky is the limit for this group.”

Despite stepping away from the Sandringham senior coaching job after three years in charge, McPhee will continue to play an important role on game days, primarily focusing on the St Kilda-listed players as the Head of the Player Academy and Development.

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Former Western Bulldog half-back and 2006 All-Australian Lindsay Gilbee will manage the defenders, while Peta Searle will guide the forward line with the help of Dennis-Lane.

“Adam Schneider is on the rookie list now and he will most likely at least start the season in the VFL and it’s no secret that he is a fantastic on-field leader,” Hudson said.

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Hudson, Simon McPhee, Marcus Krygger and Chris McKay at Etihad Stadium in Manchster.

During the off-season Hudson and a select few coaches travelled to Europe to investigate the practices of other sports such as soccer and rugby.

It was an experience that proved greatly beneficial and helped evolve Hudson’s view of football and how it should be played at the elite level.

“We’ve got to get better at getting things out of other sports and trying to implement them here. The scanning and awareness within a game is one example; we can’t afford to be ball watching now,” he said.

“I’m positive and my natural style promotes an attacking style of footy and I’m also big on our ball use. I have taken a lot out of soccer in relation to trying to keep possession.

“The longer we hold onto it, the more the opposition has to run to get it off us, and if we can control that and get ourselves in position to actually shoot a goal, then that’s better than us doing the chasing.”

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Hudson is also acutely aware of the delicate balance that exists between winning games for Sandringham and developing AFL players that can win games for St Kilda.

To this end, the Zebras’ setups, tactics and strategies will not differ greatly from Alan Richardson’s instructions at the Saints.

“The focuses and the game plan are going to be the same as what we do here at St Kilda,” he said.

“We’ll roll that out and prepare the boys for when they make the jump to senior footy.”

Sandringham’s senior list will spend this weekend in Portsea at a pre-season camp, with St Kilda’s first-year players also attending.

Paul Hudson will continue to provide VFL player breakdown report following games in 2015.