Two voices are being heard loud and clear this summer.

One is a new face in Henry Playfair, who arrived at Linen House Centre to coach the defenders after seven years inside Sydney’s coaching department.

The other is Rohan Welsh, who after three years overseeing the backline has swapped ends of the ground to coach the forwards.

St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson said the quietly spoken Playfair has made an impact as the Saints pursue a return to September in 2018.

“Henry has certainly added a lot to the playing group in terms of the way he educates in a broader sense, but specifically to the backs and how they will come together as a back six or back seven,” Richardson told saints.com.au at St Kilda’s training camp in Geelong.

“He comes from a great footy club in Sydney and is a real student of the game and someone who brings a lot of value to our footy club.”

With former forwards coach Aaron Hamill coaching Sandringham this year, Richardson said the decision to shuffle Welsh from defence to attack had already started to pay dividends.

“We think the new voice and some slightly different strategy in front of the ball is going to be really positive for us," he said.

“Sammy [Hamill] has done a terrific job and he’s now going to coach Sandringham.

“The proof will be in the pudding; we haven’t played anyone as of yet. But ‘Woosha’ has been really positive so far.”

60 days remain between now and St Kilda’s opening game of 2018 against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on March 24.