AFL pre-season news: sacked St Kilda coach Brett Ratten set to join North as assistant coach

Just six weeks after his shock sacking as Saints coach, Brett Ratten has made a call on his football future, and he will start in his new role this week.

North Melbourne has upgraded its coaching staff for next season with Alastair Clarkson securing former lieutenants Brett Ratten and Damian Monkhorst.

News Corp revealed last week Ratten was weighing up a return to the AFL coaching ranks after his shock sacking from St Kilda last month.

Ratten has accepted a part-time job working closely with the Kangas’ young midfielders alongside fellow assistant coach Jordan Russell, while Monkhorst will work with the club’s talls.

And at St Kilda the football department changes have continued with Jarryd Roughead set to spend more time in the club’s recruiting department.

Roughead performed a multifaceted role which saw him work on the bench on game day, help the club’s leadership group and recruiting under Ratten.

However, the four-time Hawthorn premiership forward has made a move into a mostly recruiting role as part of the recent changes under new coach Ross Lyon.

Roughead has always wanted to move into list management, although he still may do some work on key forward craft with young spearhead Max King next year.

Ratten was disappointed to be sacked by the Saints after signing a two-year contract extension mid-year following a strong 8-3 start to the season.

He considered stepping out of football or working in the media, but has decided to join forces with Clarkson again in a bid to help lift the rebuilding Roos out of the AFL doldrums.

General manager of football Tod Viney said Ratten was an excellent addition to the coaching staff.

Former Hawks ruck coach Damian Monkhorst will join North Melbourne in the same capacity. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“Brett comes to the club as an experienced, knowledgeable football person and we are thrilled to welcome him to Arden St,” Viney said.

“Brett is a highly regarded operator who has been part of premiership success during his time at Hawthorn. His vast coaching experience will be a huge asset for our club.”

Collingwood great and former Hawthorn ruck coach Damien Monkhorst will also join the Kangaroos.

Monkhorst will make his first appearance at the club on Friday after recent talks with Clarkson.

Monkhorst had plans to go on a national motorbike ride but decided to join forces with Clarkson again after parting ways with the Hawks.

Monkhorst will also work part-time with the Roos’ young talls including Tristan Xerri, Callum Coleman Jones and Jacob Edwards.

The Roos have parted ways with development coach Anthony Rocca.

Brett Ratten has moved on from his time at the Saints and will start as a part-time assistant at North Melbourne on Friday. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Big-name Cat set to step into vacant CEO job

- Glenn McFarlane

A final series of interviews and tests on Friday will determine North Melbourne’s new chief executive, with Geelong general manager of football Simon Lloyd firming to win the role.

It is understood Lloyd will be among a very small group of remaining candidates who will meet with the Kangaroos this week as a decision closes in on Ben Amarfio’s replacement.

Lloyd’s extensive record in a variety of roles at a number of AFL clubs has bolstered his chances, given the Kangaroos’ preference for a person with a deep understanding of football and club-land.

The highly-regarded administrator has overseen Geelong’s football program since 2018, and played a critical off-field role in the Cats’ 2022 premiership triumph.

Prior to that, he had been Geelong’s director of coaching, having also been an assistant coach under Ross Lyon when Fremantle made the 2013 Grand Final.

He also worked at Collingwood and Hawthorn in various portfolios including psychologist, high-performance manager, development and specialist coach.

Geelong footy boss Simon Lloyd is firming for North’s vacant CEO position. Picture: Michael Klein

Lloyd’s football nous and his extensive record inside a number of AFL clubs has long seen him considered a future club chief executive.

Others who have been part of the interview process have included Melbourne Cricket Club general manager of commercial operations and partnership Jen Watt and NBL basketball commissioner Jeremy Loeliger.

It is understood Loeliger has been informed he has missed out on the position.

Amarfio resigned from the position in September but stayed on until last month, with the Kangaroos undertaking an extensive search for his replacement.

This marks yet another change for the new-look Kangaroos who elevated Dr. Sonja Hood to the presidency in March, and in recent months appointed new coach Alastair Clarkson and football boss Todd Viney, who will lead the on-field program next season.

Collingwood and Essendon have also been in the hunt for a new CEO following the departure of Mark Anderson and Xavier Campbell, with both clubs expected to fill those roles in the coming weeks.

Originally published as AFL pre-season news: sacked St Kilda coach Brett Ratten set to join North as assistant coach