in Ballarat next week when he returns for the Saints' three-day community camp.

Rock spent three years as North Ballarat Rebels coach.

"I made a lot of good friendships (in Ballarat).

"I spent three years of my life there so it will be good to catch up with some old folk I met on my

journey," Rock said.

Many of the players that Rock coached in the under-18 TAC Cup are now filling permanent senior

AFL roles.

"It is quite pleasing, but it wasn't all done by me.

"A lot of work was put in by a lot of people and players like (Jed) Adcock, (Matt) Rosa and (Brad)

Sewell are really coming along," Rock said.

"It is really exciting that there's plenty in the system that are going to do well in the future and

make an impact at AFL level and be leaders.

"The western and Wimmera regions had a huge part of it, not just the coach. The players obviously

have to have talent and there's a lot of support networks in the region that are fantastic."

Rock also highlighted the impact that AFL camps have on the players and towns that are visited.

"I'd imagine any time a league (AFL) club comes to town it is encouraging; most communities and

players fully embrace the camps."

New St Kilda recruits Steven King, Charlie Gardiner, Sean Dempster and Adam Schneider will be

on hand for football supporters as will club stalwarts Robert Harvey, Nick Riewoldt and Fraser

Gehrig.

While the club does not have any former Ballarat players on its list, the Saints have strong links

with football champions Tony Lockett and Danny Frawley originating from Ballarat when it was in

the heart of St Kilda's country zone.

"If you look back at the history a lot of great players have come through Ballarat," Rock said.

"Players like Tony Lockett, Danny Frawley and Greg Burns prove it is a good breeding ground."

St Kilda will be putting the finishing touches to its pre-season in Ballarat, with its opening NAB

Cup match against Richmond only 14 days away.

"Rock is a part of the transition that went through the club as Ross Lyon took over from Grant

Thomas and is keen to see the Saints put some performances on the board.

"It is exciting to be a part of a new coaching group with a rookie coach," he said.

"We have to improve to be in the top four and address some issues through pre-season, but we are

in far better shape that can hopefully translate into good footy.

"With another year under Lyon the players can embrace the game plan even more as well as

understand it."