SFNL: Jason Hamilton has won the race to be St Kilda City’s senior coach

St Kilda City has locked away the coach that will lead the club forward and he is intent on seeing through the rebuild.

Jason Hamilton will coach St Kilda City. Picture: Hamish Blair

St Kilda City is looking to the past to propel its future, signing Jason Hamilton as its senior coach in 2024.

Hamilton – who coached Melton South for half of 2023 alongside former City coach Ryan Hoy – will know the Peanut Farm well, having previously played at the club.

Between his playing days at St Kilda City and his most recent role at Melton South, Hamilton coached Braybrook and Reservoir.

He is rapt to be leading his old side.

“I have always wanted to come back and coach them at senior level,” Hamilton said.

“I think the time is right at the moment, I have had seven or eight years at senior level at other clubs – I think I have done my apprenticeship and am ready to go.

“Rebuild the club and hopefully in two or three years we’re back on top of the table where we belong – it’s going to be hard work but I am looking forward to it.”

Jason Hamilton.Picture: Hamish Blair

Hamilton is “under no illusions” it’s going to be a culture-focused season but is excited by the challenge.

“What we have to do is rebuild the right way, not trying to buy our way out of it,” he said.

“We want a team full of goers instead of three or four champions in there, I think that’s the best way to do it.

“We have to set some standards procedures that we are going to take to the next level and hopefully that can change things.

“I am under no illusion, Mel’s (new president Mel Starr) is under no illusion that’s going to be a tough year next year but at the funny thing about football is that things can turn around quickly.

“It didn’t help what happened last year but sometimes you have to take a step backwards to go forwards and that’s the vision we have at the moment.”