WHILE uncertainty prevails over St Kilda, the club last night was relieved to further secure its playing list by re-signing key defender Matt Maguire for two years as rival clubs had begun to intensify their interest in the uncontracted Saint.

The news comes after the club also agreed to terms that involve forward Aaron Hamill retiring.

At Hawthorn, Joel Smith has announced his retirement after 221 games during 13 seasons for the Hawks and St Kilda. The dual All-Australian half-back began his career at Moorabbin, playing 58 games for the Saints.

"Hawthorn took a punt on me 10 years ago when I had that train wreck of a knee and missed 20 months of footy," Smith said. "I am forever grateful for that."

At Carlton, the final chapter in the Blues' long-running coaching saga closed this week when Northern Bullants coach Barry Mitchell was told his services were no longer required.

Despite efforts by new senior coach Brett Ratten to retain Mitchell, the prevailing view of senior Blues was that Mitchell's time at the club needed to end.

A long-time assistant, Mitchell and former Blues coach Denis Pagan fell out in a bitter dispute last season.

Mitchell was interviewed for the senior coaching job and retained by the club this year, much to Pagan's disappointment, but was removed from the football department to an office at the opposite side of Princes Park.

The club now will search for a new VFL coach and another assistant coach to join former Melbourne caretaker coach Mark Riley, who starts next month.

With CAROLINE WILSON