AARON Hamill has returned back to where it all began, with the Carlton Football Club today securing the former Blue as an assistant coach.
Hamill arrives as backline coach, with a focus on team defence, under new AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss, bringing with him 10 years of coaching experience at St Kilda, following nearly 200 games at the elite level with the Blues and Saints.
In 2020, Hamill was promoted to Senior Assistant, overseeing the backline and team defence, as the Saints went on to enjoy their most successful season in 10 years.
The 44-year-old began his coaching journey as a development coach in the red, white and black in 2012 before taking charge of the forward line for four seasons.
He then gained experience coaching his own side, taking the reins of the Saints’ VFL affiliate Sandringham for two seasons (2018–19) before stepping into the Senior Assistant position.
Hamill said the timing could not have been better to return to IKON Park.
“The discussions I had with Brad Lloyd and Michael Voss centred around a clear vision they had for this football club and how they will achieve it – to be part of building that is incredibly exciting,” Hamill said.
“It is a privilege to be back here at the Carlton Football Club, the passion of this place and the members and supporters certainly has not changed in 20 years – we want to build something special for them.
“My approach to coaching has been pretty simple over the last 10 years, maintain high standards and high accountability, I have a real passion to work with and develop players and with where this group is at right now and the path they are looking to take – it is going to be a great environment to be part of.
Carlton Head of Football Brad Lloyd said Hamill’s experience and particular skillset as a coach was exactly what the Club required.
“Aaron is an excellent communicator, at building connections with people, has an outstanding knowledge of the defensive side of the game and a determination to lead a high-performance culture – they are all the qualities we are looking to add to our coaching group,” Lloyd said.
“Aaron has been involved at the elite level as a player and coach for almost 25 years, that experience of what it takes to not only perform but to succeed in this game is invaluable at any football club and for our playing group.”
