AFL great Brett Ratten’s son, Cooper, 16, killed in car crash at Yarra Glen
AFL great Brett Ratten has written a heartfelt tribute to his teenage son, Cooper, after he died in a joy-ride tragedy east of Melbourne.
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AFL great Brett Ratten has written a heartfelt tribute to his teenage son who died in a joy-ride tragedy.
Cooper Ratten, 16, died on his way to hospital after a stolen car in which he was a back-seat passenger was destroyed in the horrific accident east of Melbourne at 3am on Sunday.
Cooper was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown 40m from the vehicle at Yarra Glen.
He was in the VW Tiguan with two Yarra Glen Football Club teammates. The 17-year-old driver was discharged from hospital last night, while the other boy was transferred from Box Hill Hospital to The Alfred.
Detectives were waiting to interview the driver, and confirmed they were examining alcohol and drugs as factors in the high-speed crash.
Cooper’s father — the Hawthorn assistant coach, 1995 Carlton premiership player and former Blues coach — placed the emotional tribute to his son in today’s Herald Sun.
“We love you so much and we will miss you forever. You will be with us every minute of every day,” the 255-game champion wrote.
“You had so much potential and ability in the things you set your mind to. You have been taken way too soon and we will miss your smile, your laugh and all your cheekiness.
“These memories will last forever. I wish I could kiss you, hug you and hold you tight. I love you, my son. We love you so much always and forever.”
Yarra Glen president Vincent Erickson said of the teen: “He was a happy-go-lucky kid. He had a real social sense about him.
“He’d become pretty good mates with his teammates ... they’re doing it tough.’’
The three teenagers were at a Yarra Glen footy function on Saturday night.
They left in a courtesy bus organised by the club and were dropped off at the home of one of the trio.
It was there that they are believed to have taken a set of car keys, possibly belonging to a parent, and driven away in foggy conditions.
They made it to Glenview Rd where, travelling in excess of 100km/h, the driver lost control.
Police later said it was a “miracle” there were two survivors.
Devastated friend Jasmine Williams posted a recent picture on Facebook.
“You look so happy... I love you Cooper, my boyfriend now my angel ... forever,” she wrote.
“This world is so cruel.”
Mr Erickson, who had employed Cooper as a plumber, said the club held a “typical football club social function” on Saturday night.
“I worked the bar and I know there were no under-age people sold alcohol,” Mr Erickson said.
“They (the under-age players) know the drill — they don’t come and ask for it because they’ll be refused.”
Cooper, regarded as a talented backman, and his under-18 teammates beat Wandin on Saturday to secure a finals spot.
Specialist crash detectives from the police major collision unit were trying to establish exactly what happened in the hours preceding the smash.
The survivors and other witnesses were expected to be interviewed as officers conduct a painstaking recreation of the accident.
Detective Sgt David Yeoman said speed was an “obvious” factor and that there had been thick fog in the area.
The car was heading south when it failed to negotiate a sweeping left-hand bend and rolled, he said.
“Visibility was right down to minimal levels. There was some difficulty in finding all occupants of the vehicle,” Sgt Yeoman said.
“There was a pea-souper here last night.”
Sgt Yeoman said the teenage driver — who was too young to drive unaccompanied — should not have been behind the wheel.
“It’s an absolute miracle two of them got out of that car alive,” he said.
The Hawks and the Blues offered their condolences to Ratten.
DAY OF TRIUMPH TURNS TO TRAGEDY
COOPER Ratten had planned to stay at his uncle’s house on Saturday night.
It was easier than trekking back to his home in Ringwood after a night of celebrating his footy team’s progression into the finals.
They had dinner together before the 16-year-old headed out to a footy club function with mates.
While there, he texted his uncle to say he’d decided to stay the night at a friend’s house.
It was the last time he heard from him.
In only his first year with the Yarra Glen under-18s, Cooper was a standout.
His impressive football pedigree was key to the team’s narrow eight-point win over rival Wandin just hours before he was killed.
“You could tell when he had the ball out there that he just knew what he was doing,” club president Vincent Erickson said yesterday.
“He was a valued member of the team, that’s for sure.”
Mr Erickson was behind the bar at Saturday night’s footy function, and said he was confident Cooper hadn’t been drinking.
Under-age players wore wristbands, or had stamps on their hands, so bartenders knew not to serve them any alcohol.
Cooper stayed at the function until 12.35am then boarded a courtesy bus organised by the club.
It dropped him off at the nearby home.
Little detail is known about what happened in the following 2½ hours.
But at 3.04am, police were called to a horror crash scene.
Cooper was unconscious, but breathing, lying on the ground. He died later.
The teen had been flung 40m from the back seat of a Volkswagen Tiguan that had spun out of control, rolling several times. Police said it was stolen.
Two 17-year-olds were found walking around the scene, shaken and injured. Three empty Corona beer bottles lay strewn across the site.
Police believe alcohol and drugs contributed to the crash. The car was travelling at more than 100km/h and “speed was an obvious factor”, they said.
The road to the crash scene runs straight for a little over 1km, before a sweeping left-hand bend.
The local bank manager had raised the alarm and the local CFA captain was first on the scene.
It was about the sixth accident he’d seen involving the death of a teen in the area, he said.
Locals slowed as they passed the scene, curious to see where yet another tragedy had unfolded.
Cooper’s distraught uncle, who asked not to be named, came too, but was too devastated to speak.
While there, he collected a shoe and necklace that had come off in the crash.
Tributes flowed online for the popular student who was remembered as “a kind-hearted kid who cared for everyone before yourself’’.
The driver of the car was under police guard at Maroondah Hospital yesterday before he was discharged last night.
Other teammates rallied together at the club, trying to work out how one of the best days of the year turned into one of the worst in its history.
FLOOD OF SUPPORT FOR FAMILY
FRIENDS, former teammates and complete strangers have rallied around Brett Ratten after the coach was yesterday told of his son’s tragic death.
Past and present AFL players and officials rushed to Ratten’s side as he attempted to deal with the news.
Carlton great Craig Bradley was among those to visit the Ratten family and offer his support.
“It’s obviously devastating news,’’ he said.
“We all loved Coop and the family.’’
Former Carlton ruckman Justin Madden said his former teammate was in the thoughts of all who had crossed paths with him.
“It’s very sad,’’ he said.
“It’s a tragic loss and our hearts go out to Brett and his family.’’
Premier Daniel Andrews and Hawthorn Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford were among those offering their sympathy.
Melbourne players wore black armbands in tribute to Ratten’s loss — a former assistant coach at the club — during their match against Western Bulldogs yesterday.
Hawthorn, which has given Ratten time off, released a statement spelling out the club’s shock and support for its assistant.
“Hawthorn Football Club is deeply saddened to advise Brett Ratten’s son, Cooper, was involved in a car accident overnight that has claimed the 16-year-old’s life,’’ it said.
“Cooper, who was a rear passenger in the vehicle, received life-threatening injuries and died en route to the hospital.’’
Carlton, where Ratten played 255 games and was senior coach for another 120, also released a statement.
“The Carlton Football Club extends its deepest condolences to Brett Ratten and his family following the tragic loss of his 16-year-old son, Cooper,’’ it said.
“The thoughts and prayers of all connected with the club are with the Ratten family, friends and the Yarra Glen football community at this extremely difficult time.’’
Sydney Swans defender Jeremy Laider, who played under Ratten at Carlton in 2011-12, took to social media to share his support for the Hawthorn assistant.
“Thoughts are with Brett Ratten and his family,’’ he tweeted. “Such sad news.’’
State Liberal deputy leader David Hodgett, a former Yarra Ranges mayor, echoed those sentiments.
The AFL Fans Association said: “On behalf of all AFL fans, sincere sympathy to Brett Ratten and his family following the tragic loss of his son Cooper. RIP’’
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