St Kilda coach Brett Ratten isn’t concerned with his contract after positive words from club president

The full support of the board can be a bad sign for an off-contract coach but not at St Kilda.

Brett Ratten is looked at as St Kilda’s long-term coach. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Backing from the club president and chief executive that he’s the man to control St Kilda’s fortunes long term was “nice to hear” for coach Brett Ratten.

But as he prepares for the unknown of how his players will perform off a bye against premiership contenders Brisbane in Brisbane, with available playing stocks at a rare high, the immediate future is Ratten’s only concern.

Just last week St Kilda president Andrew Bassat said “the trust is pretty high” that Ratten, who is out of contract at the end of the season but has guided his team to an imposing 8-3 record at the halfway mark, was the man to lead the club to their next flag push.

“We’ve always said that Brett Ratten will be our long-term coach and the coach who hopefully takes us to our long-awaited second flag,” Bassat said.

“He’s not in fear of his contract.”

Ratten confirmed talks for a new deal had “started” but was unwilling to talk further knowing more pressing matters were at hand.

“That’s really pleasing to hear that, but like anything it’s a journey, trying to win and have success,” he said on Wednesday ahead of what he forecast could be a mammoth selection meeting for the clash against the Lions.

While former captain Jarryn Geary won’t be available again this week, and with current captain Jack Steele eyeing off a possible round 15 return from shoulder surgery, the Saints have plentiful available talent.

Small forward Jack Higgins is available after missing consecutive matches with concussion and then Covid, as is Hunter Clark who hasn’t played at AFL level since injuring his shoulder in the pre-season.

Jack Higgins was subbed out of the round 9 match with concussion. Picture Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Dan Butler is also hunting for another opportunity after kicking five goals in the VFL and Jack Billings collected 25 touches in the same game after being dropped.

But byes across both AFL and VFL level have added to Ratten’s selection dilemma.

“We could be here until 10pm,” Ratten said.

“That’s the pleasing thing, we haven’t been in this place for a while, to have a number of players in good form, ready to go and play. We have the decision to make around a few who have missed footy as well.

“(Jack) Higgins has played two out of five weeks, (Hunter) Clark has played two out of five weeks. How many blokes can we put in who might need an extra run? It is a good place for us to be in.”

Up for the fight 🥊

— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) June 7, 2022

So too is 8-3, with a break to freshen up his players too. But what value the bye was remained something Ratten said could only be worked out in hindsight.

“I think the break is going to come at a good time for some clubs and not so good for others,” he said.

“I would say right here, right now, it’s been good to freshen up, but it will be in the next couple of weeks of performance of our footy and the momentum we are trying to gain.

“I think clubs will look back on the break to say it was a plus or a hindrance. We’ll wait and see.”