Ratten applauds returning Ryder as Saints smash hapless Hawks

Brett Ratten has applauded the efforts of Paddy Ryder in his side’s emphatic win over Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Paddy Ryder during the 2020 finals series. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brett Ratten said the trickle-down effect of having Paddy Ryder back in the Saints’ side enabled their midfield to find form again.

Ryder played his first game for 2021 and gave his midfield an armchair ride on the way to a 69-point win.

“He’s a very good player, Paddy,” Ratten said. “I think what he did towards the back end of last year showed everybody what he’s capable of.

“Even though he might be getting a little older, I think he might be getting a little wiser too.

“I’m really pleased for Paddy because of his journey so far this year. He struggled with some things personally and needed to get back.

“He knows how important he is for our footy club and our team.”

Ratten stopped short of saying Ryder was the Saints’ most important player but said the knock-on effect had allowed the Saint to take control of the game.

He said there’ll be a discussion around resting the 33-year-old as the season progresses, but at this stage, because of the Saints’ fixture, he could play back-to-back.

Ratten’s Saints ran riot at Marvel Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brad Hill has been the most maligned Saint this season, but Ratten said much of it had been unfair and the 27-year-old’s defensive acts in the win had shown his commitment to the cause.

“I thought he was very good, I thought some of his defensive acts were outstanding,” Ratten said.

“That smother early in the game, really that was a sign of how invested he is.

“He’s copped some criticism and I think sometimes unfairly, and he’s been working extremely hard.

“For him to bounce back tonight was great.”

Hunter Clark played on all three lines at different times, kicking two goals to go with clearances and rebound 50s, and Ratten said it’s something fans might see more of.

“We know what Hunter can do, today was probably a bit different with where he played,” he said.

“But he showed his class and poise, and he seems to have more time than others.

“But he’s still growing aspects to his game, we all know what he can do and potentially the sky’s the limit for him.

“I think he can nearly play anywhere and that might be what we need from him at times to allow others to go and showcase what they can do.”

SAINTS SURPRISE CLARKO

Alastair Clarkson said he was surprised by how good St Kilda was in his side’s 69-point loss.

The veteran coach said he’d expected the Saints to carry on their good form from last season and didn’t know why they hadn’t, until this game.

“Probably for the competition they haven’t seen them like that all year,” Clarkson said.

“They’re a very, very capable side and I don’t know the reason why they haven’t been playing to that level they produced today.

“They played really good footy, and we were trying to plug holes throughout the day.”

Clarkson said having Chad Wingard, Jaeger O’Meara and Shaun Burgoyne all out at the same time had destabilised his side, but exposed players who shape as the future of the club.

“It hurts when you lose Wingard, O’Meara and Burgoyne all in one hit, that’s a fair bit of experience and class out of your side,” he said.

“We need to go through the hard yards of getting exposure to the level and we had a lot of players who did that today.

“The polish and quality of our ball use wasn’t there, but neither was it with St Kilda’s players when they were young blokes trying to find their way in AFL footy too.”

Emerson Jeka had just two touches in his debut, but Clarkson said it was a horror game to debut in as a young key forward.

“It’s hard to come into a game like this in your debut when it’s five goals to zip in the first quarter,” he said.

Clarkson said he expects O’Meara and Wingard to return next week, while Burgoyne will be touch and go but “more unlikely than likely”.

Originally published as Ratten applauds returning Ryder as Saints smash hapless Hawks