AFTER losing assistant coaches Todd Viney and Barry Mitchell to Adelaide and Fremantle respectively, Hawthorn has made some ground by acquiring former key position player John Barker.

Barker, a popular figure with teammates and supporters, played 112 games and kicked 113 goals in nine seasons with the Hawks, and since his retirement at the end of 2006 has spent two years as an assistant coach at St Kilda under Ross Lyon.

However, he will resume as an assistant with the Hawks from the start of pre-season training in November.

"It’s been a fantastic experience to be part of the coaching group at the Saints after finishing my playing career," Barker said in a statement released by St Kilda on Saturday.

"Ross Lyon gave me a great opportunity to work with a strong forwards group and I’ll always be grateful for this.

"The romance of returning to the club that I played most of my career for was too good to refuse."

Barker's playing career commenced with Fitzroy in 1994 and included a brief stint in Brisbane after those two clubs merged.