St Kilda Football Club has appointed former Brisbane Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney as its new ruck coach, the club announced in a media release on Friday, October 16, 2026.
McInerney will work with St Kilda's ruck group, including Tom De Koning and Alex Dodson, when the club's pre-season begins next month.
"I'm looking forward to working with Tom as he approaches the prime years of his career and sharing what I learnt from playing in and helping lead a successful ruck group," McInerney said.
He said he was also keen to help develop Dodson's game. "Alex is clearly a highly talented player who's been developing nicely at VFL level, and I'm excited to help refine his ruck craft so he can take the next step and contribute regularly at AFL level," McInerney said.
McInerney retired from the AFL in 2025 after helping Brisbane win back-to-back premierships, his final AFL appearance coming in a Grand Final victory. He played 165 games across nine seasons with the Lions after being recruited from the Casey Scorpions as a 23-year-old rookie in the 2016 rookie draft.
He played his junior football for Montrose in Melbourne's Eastern Football League.
McInerney said he had followed St Kilda's season closely. "Watching from afar, it was clear the Saints took significant steps forward through the midfield and around clearances this season, and I'm eager to contribute to that continued improvement in 2027," he said.
St Kilda general manager of football Lenny Hayes said McInerney's appointment reflected confidence in the direction of the club's coaching group.
"Overall, we've had great continuity among our coaching group, with these re-signings and the recruitment of Oscar a show of faith in the team's direction," Hayes said.
Hayes pointed to McInerney's reputation at Brisbane as a factor in the decision. "His team-first attitude was on show for all to see during his time in Brisbane, as was a work ethic that allowed him to get the absolute best from himself," he said. "We're confident these traits and his recent playing experience will ensure Oscar is a strong addition to our coaching panel and mentor for our ruck division."
Alongside McInerney's arrival, St Kilda confirmed three coaching panel members have recommitted to the club: midfield assistant coach Robert Harvey, head of development and learning Damian Carroll, and development coach and VFL senior coach Brendon Goddard.
Hayes credited Harvey's role in the growth of the club's midfield. "Rob has been integral in the fast growth of our midfield group and there is no one better placed to drive the elite work ethic required to help them take the next step again this season," he said.
He also praised the club's standalone VFL program under Goddard and Carroll. "We also have high confidence that Brendon and Damian's leadership within our standalone VFL program will continue to develop AFL-ready players," Hayes said.
St Kilda's coaching facilities are based at RSEA Park, where McInerney is due to begin work with the club's players in the coming weeks as pre-season training gets under way.