St Kilda FC is pleased to announce former Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn will join the club’s coaching panel for 2017. 

McGlynn, who retired at the end of this season, will join the Saints as an assistant coach. 

The 31-year-old played 171 AFL matches at Hawthorn and Sydney Football Clubs in a career spanning 11 years, which included two grand final appearances with the Swans. 

Over the past five years, McGlynn has worked closely with the Swans NEAFL team, as well as the Swans Academy Under 16 team. He recently completed a Level 2 coaching accreditation course and also holds a Diploma of Sports Management and Development.

McGlynn said he was excited to join the Saints. 

“After playing footy in Sydney for the past seven years, I’m really excited at the challenge of stepping into a new environment, a new club and meeting new people,” McGlynn said. 

“I’ve had some exposure to coaching, so I feel like the development role is a great fit for me and I’m looking forward to working with the younger boys. 

“It’s going to be a big challenge, which I’m really excited to take on,” he said. 

GM – Football Performance Jamie Cox said he believed McGlynn would be a fantastic addition to the club.

"We are really excited to have Ben join the Saints,” Cox said. 

"Obviously he was a highly skilled and experienced player, and he has a genuine love and interest in coaching and developing young talent.

"As a player just recently out of the game, his experience at two premiership-winning clubs will be invaluable to the younger players under his tutelage,” he said.