Former Carlton player Andrew Walker urges club to give former coach Brett Ratten a second chance

As Carlton starts its search for a new senior coach, Andrew Walker has urged the club to turn to a former mentor to replace Brendon Bolton.  

Andrew Walker has backed former Carlton coach Brett Ratten to return to the club.

Former Carlton star Andrew Walker says the Blues must consider reappointing former coach Brett Ratten to fill the vacancy left by Brendon Bolton’s sacking.

Walker, who played under St Kilda assistant Ratten during his previous six-year stint as Carlton coach, said the Blues would ‘have to look at’ their ex-coach.

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“He’s coached in his own right at senior level and had results. You can only go off those results,” Walker said.

Ratten has been one of Carlton’s most successful modern coaches, achieving 60 wins during a 120-game coaching career before he was controversially replaced by Mick Malthouse in 2012.

“He was really before his time, Ratts, and I think he was extremely unlucky to lose the job back then in 2012,” Walker said.

“That 2012 year we were really struggling with injuries towards the end of the year and we still managed to finish ninth.

“I thought he was a great coach and great for developing young players.”

Walker said the Blues played “a really fast, brave style of footy” under Ratten which has been lacking in the past month.

Andrew Walker enjoyed a career renaissance during Brett Ratten’s reign. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Brett Ratten had a success rate of better than 50 per cent as Carlton coach.

“I loved playing under Ratts. Ratts really rejuvenated my career,” he said on SEN.

Walker, whose 202-game career in navy blue ended in 2016, said he said saddened by Bolton’s axing.

“I really thought he was the right man for the rebuild,” he said.

He said he had been confident the club was heading in the right direction under Bolton, despite its 1-10 record this year.

“I thought if we’re going to rebuild, it’s really important we stick to it,” he said. “Obviously the results haven’t been great over the last 3-4 weeks.

“I thought the club was really heading in the right direction.”