LEIGH Tudor will take the reins at St Kilda for this Friday night's NAB Cup opener against Collingwood.
Tudor joined the Saints as an assistant coach at the end of 2008 and was forwards coach when they made the grand final last year.
Before that, he coached Geelong's VFL side, leading it to premierships in 2006 and 2007.
His temporary elevation by senior coach Ross Lyon follows that of Stephen Silvagni, who was handed the opportunity for last year's NAB Cup clash with the Brisbane Lions.
Tudor played 68 games for North Melbourne and Geelong from 1989 to 1996.
