Just watching a replay of Channel 7 Sunday morning footy show - Game Day - and noticed a banner headline that mentioned Brett Ratten as a possible candidate to be the MFC senior coach successor.

He was our midfield coach a while back and our midfield did perform well under his leadership. But as Carlton coach it was widely known that he was too close to the players and this robbed him of the tough edge to succeed as a senior coach. I am not immediately against the idea but thought it would be good to open the discussion.

Thoughts?

Not totally against it, Carlton were better under Ratten than they are under Malthouse.

I thought Carlton were pretty harsh on him, hmm dunno

Probably has the best credentials of anyone else who's name is in the ring. I think I would be more comfortable with him than Rawlings.

With several Carlton supporting friends and family, I've been well acquainted with their saga.

Ratten was dealing with a dangerously over-rated list (including in the list's own eyes, shall we say), an interfering board, and all sorts of expectation/entitlement attitude from the Blue's fans. Despite their string of top draft picks, their best 22 had, and still has, a terrible lack of 'completeness'. Many players were deeply damaged by mis-coaching under Pagan and a horrendous party culture that lasted a very long time.

Plus, Ratten knows all about being stymied by having a talented but perpetually injured forward, the potently absent Jarred Waite.

I'd be comfortable with Ratten at the Demons, with a good support group. Would want to keep Rawlings on long-term for instance. Operating as a succession plan rather than a wholesale turnover helps the continuity enormously, and may mean we get the best of both Roos' and Ratten's professional networks coming on board. That means connections with the Sydney, Carlton, and Hawthorn coaching panels.

I'm talking myself into it here, so I'll ease up and just say 'yes, that would be acceptable', especially if it becomes Roos for the three years with Ratten arriving a little early to be a gun midfield coach. We have the cattle to create something potent with some quality coaching in there.

We sure had a midfield when he was around.

I don't mind Ratten although he was complicit in their tanking so I'm not sure if the club would want someone with that history

Edited March 23, 201411 yr by reynolds46

Good coach, and sitting alongside Roos for a year or two will teach him some new tricks

Wouldnt say no to Ratts

Have always respected Ratten. He is at Hawthorn now.

Good Credits. He would be an ideal successor to Roos after 2 years imo

Should he be held accountable in any way for Carlton's poor recruiting pre Malthouse?

Should he be held accountable in any way for Carlton's poor recruiting pre Malthouse?

They recruited Judd on his watch

I think he gets a pass

He did ok at Carlton, has had a few years under Clarkson and then a few under Roos prior to taking our job, I think he would be a much better coach by then. I liked him and still do.

Ratten did a good job with us, he did a pretty good job at Carlton and would seem to be doing well at Hawthorn, and is well respected in the football industry.

Without really being across who else is available, I think Ratten would be someone who ticks most boxes and would be a good get.

Never really thought he got a fair shake at Carlton.

Edited March 23, 201411 yr by T-34

Yes to Ratten... would take him in a heartbeat

Ratten was dealing with a dangerously over-rated list (including in the list's own eyes, shall we say), an interfering board, and all sorts of expectation/entitlement attitude from the Blue's fans. Despite their string of top draft picks, their best 22 had, and still has, a terrible lack of 'completeness'. Many players were deeply damaged by mis-coaching under Pagan and a horrendous party culture that lasted a very long time.

Substitute the relevant Carlton names with Melbourne ones and it could equally apply to us at any given stage over the last 6yrs.

Like your thinking LG.

Yes to Ratten... would take him in a heartbeat

same,underrated coach.

was told yarran nothing but forward pocket and turned him into attacking hbf.

took waite from back to forward.

played mitch robinson when everybody said was no good.

wanted him as our coach, especially when he admitted after being a blue since 16 yo,he probably was to close to players.