St Kilda forward line coach John Barker has quit his role at the AFL club to take up the role of assistant coach with premiers Hawthorn.

Barker spent two years with the Saints under coach Ross Lyon but said the chance to return to the Hawks, where he spent the majority of his playing career, was to good to turn down.

"It's been a fantastic experience to be part of the coaching group at the Saints after finishing my playing career," Barker said in a statement.

"Ross Lyon gave me a great opportunity to work with a strong forwards group and I'll always be grateful for this.

"The romance of returning to the club that I played most of my career for was too good to refuse."

Barker retired as a player in 2006, following a career spanning 168 games for Fitzroy, Brisbane and Hawthorn.

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