FORMER Port Adelaide and Hawthorn defender Ryan Burton is joining Greater Western Sydney as a development coach. 

The 29-year-old spent 2026 playing with Southport in the VFL after his 162-game AFL career ended this time last year. 

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Burton was originally drafted by the Hawks with pick No.19 in 2015 before being involved in the Chad Wingard trade four years later. 

The South Australian will now make another move from the Gold Coast to Sydney next month to help the Giants' young players launch into pre-season. 

Burton is the second appointment of the off-season after the Giants signed Peel Thunder premiership coach Adam Read as an assistant coach.

Read spent 19 years working at Fremantle across a range of roles, including recruiting and development and will now head across the country to join GWS.

Adam Kingsley's coaching panel will look different in 2027 with Ben Hart moving to Collingwood this week to work under Craig McRae and Brett Montgomery returning to South Australia to coach South Adelaide in the SANFL.

Craig Jennings coached the midfield and stoppages this year but has been promoted to head of development, working with the players and coaches in a new role. 

GWS also approached Dion Prestia for a development role but the three-time premiership Tiger is still keen to play on elsewhere after his time ended at Richmond in August.