NEW ST Kilda goalkicking coach Ben Dixon has begun the task of recalibrating St Kilda's radar in front of the big sticks. 

After a wasteful season in which the Saints finished 16th for set shot accuracy, the club recruited the former 203-game Hawks forward to improve their results in front of goal. 

The Saints ranked 17th for overall goalkicking accuracy in 2017 with 45.5 percent, ahead of only the Western Bulldogs (43.1 percent).

In contrast, Melbourne led the League with 54.2 per cent, ahead of the Brisbane Lions (52.2 per cent) and West Coast (52.1 per cent). 

Early on, Dixon will meet the players – many of whom he has already knows – before St Kilda ramps up its goalkicking program in January and February. 

Dixon, who is at the club in a part-time role, worked closely with Josh Bruce on his set shots at the end of Friday's three-hour session.

Ben McGlynn was in charge of goalkicking in 2017 and will continue to play a role in that area.

Several other changes have been made in St Kilda's coaching ranks. Adam Kingsley, who was in the running to take the top job at Gold Coast that was won by Stuart Dew, has been promoted into a more strategy-based role as transition coach.

Simon McPhee has assumed the role as midfield coach. Henry Playfair, who was poached from Sydney, will oversee the backline while Rohan Welsh has moved on from the defensive role to take control of the forwards.

Aaron Hamill will be at the helm of VFL affiliate Sandringham. Last year's Zebras coach, Lindsay Gilbee, remains at the Saints in a development position.

Ruck coach Adam Skrobalak has reduced his workload to four days a week at the club after taking on the top job at returning VFL club Frankston. The Dolphins have signed former AFL players Jake Batchelor, Todd Elton and Will Fordham after having their licence stripped for 2017. 

Peta Searle, who was the first female to enter the AFL's coaching ranks, has become the head of women's football. 

The Saints will field a VFL Women's team from 2018 and are set to enter the NAB AFL Women's competition in 2020.

Ben Dixon in action for the Hawks in 2005. Picture: AFL Photos