Retired for all of two weeks, veteran Saint Max Hudghton is back in the AFL system after accepting a part-time role as a defensive coach with Collingwood for the 2010 season.

After missing out on selection in the Saints' grand final line-up, the 33-year-old immediately announced his retirement, bringing to an end a 234-game career.

"To be able to be involved in football to some extent and particularly to work with Mick (Malthouse) and the Collingwood Football Club will be a big change," Hudghton told collingwoodfc.com.au.

"But it’s very exciting to be moving into a different environment, and move out of my comfort zone at St Kilda."

"St Kilda people are fantastic people, but this is very exciting for me."

"I hadn’t really visualized any sort of coaching role for myself at all until this opportunity arose."

I’ve got my own construction business, so I’m pretty deep into that at the moment.”

Collingwood senior coach Mick Malthouse expects Hudghton to be an excellent resource for the club's young defenders.

"Max has played terrific football against all the key tall forwards in his career and has vast knowledge of them,” Malthouse said.

"Through the conversations we’ve had with Max, I’ve been able to establish that he knows his trade, and he’s quite prepared and capable of passing his knowledge onto young players."

Hudghton joins a coaching panel currently comprising Malthouse and assistant coaches Mark Neeld, Paul Hudson and Nathan Buckley.

Neeld will look after the midfield in 2010, while Hudson moves from forwards to opposition and Buckley will take over as forwards coach in his first year as an assistant.

Meanwhile the club has announced several list changes following trade week.

Ruckman Chris Bryan and midfielder Danny Stanley will not be offered new playing contracts for the 2010 season.

Rookie list players Toby Thoolen, Johnny Bennell and Kevin Dyas have also been delisted.