SYDNEY great Jarrad McVeigh will step straight from an outstanding 325-game playing career into a key coaching role as part of a significant shake-up of the Swans' coaching structure.

McVeigh – who retired at the end of last season – will be the new midfield coach, sharing the duties with his former teammate Tadhg Kennelly, who moves from defence.

The Swans have made a multitude of changes to their coaching department in the wake of their disappointing 2019 season in which they won just eight games and finished 15th.

Brett Kirk, who had been the midfield coach for the past four seasons, has been moved to a development coaching role, John Blakey is responsible for the defence and Dean Cox moves from the midfield to an on-field strategy and performance analysis role.

Three-time Geelong premiership star Steve Johnson will be the club's forwards coach for a third season.

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Swans head of football Charlie Gardiner believes McVeigh is capable of making an immediate impact in his new role.

"Jarrad had an outstanding career and in many ways, has been like an on-field coach over the past few years," Gardiner said.

"I see him making a smooth transition into coaching.

"He's highly respected, he has a great relationship with all of our players and staff, and he'll be a really valuable addition to the coaching team.

"We have a very stable coaching group but have looked to make some structural tweaks and changes to roles, which I think will improve us."

Lance Franklin and Jarrad McVeigh at Swans training in June. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos



McVeigh is a two-time best and fairest with the Swans, captained the club from 2011-16, including the 2012 premiership.

Meanwhile, superstar Lance Franklin got an early start on his 16th pre-season alongside the club's first-to-fourth-year players on Monday.

2-5 .... and 15 year players are BACK #ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/fdQ6HyFeyT — Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) November 3, 2019

The 32-year-old – who joined the prestigious 300-game club in the Swans' round 23 win against St Kilda – was restricted to just 10 games in 2019 due to injury.