St Kilda have had a big off-field AFL win, securing retired Hawthorn great Jarryd Roughead on a three-year deal.

The four-time premiership player and former Hawks captain will have a wide-ranging role that includes list management and the club’s leadership and mentoring program.

Jarryd Roughead will also have a match day role and work with some of the club’s emerging key position players.

The 32-year-old key position star retired last month on 283 games.

Roughead is a highly-respected figure in the AFL and Gold Coast were keen for him to join their football department.

He has solid links at the Suns and Saints – with ex-Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans now Gold Coast chief executive and former Hawks assistant coach Brett Ratten holding the caretaker role at St Kilda.

Ratten is favourite to be appointed full-time senior coach of the Saints, with a decision likely in the next fortnight.

“His football resume speaks for itself and it will be incredibly valuable to tap into his knowledge and experience as we continue to strengthen our football program,” Saints football boss Simon Lethlean said of Roughead.

“Given the demand for his services, we are obviously thrilled that Roughy has chosen the Saints as the club where he wants to take the first step in the next phase of his football career.”

“He will add huge value to a number of areas in our program … while also playing a key role in developing our young leaders to help drive the standards that are required to win premierships.

“As one of the game’s best key forwards over the past 15 years, we will also utilise his knowledge to support our coaching group”

Roughead will join the Saints in November before they start pre-season training.

“I’m looking forward to working across the football program and with a really talented young group of players, and contributing where I can to their development,” Roughead said.

“St Kilda presented an appealing role and have a very clear direction in where they want to take the club over the next few years.”