Brett Ratten sacking at St Kilda damning evidence that nice guys don’t even get to finish the job

The sacking of Brett Ratten followed a long history of St Kilda bloodletting. And one line in the Saints press conference was especially worrying, writes Mark Robinson.

Brett Ratten and the Saints managed just 11 wins in 2022, narrowly missing playing finals.

This was a balls-up by St Kilda.

Three months after the Saints signed Brett Ratten to a two-year-deal, they sacked him.

It was a Monday sit-down, a Thursday assassination and a Friday burial: Quick, passionless, no apologies.

It was a bold decision and maybe even the right decision.

Time will tell, but as the Saints said on Friday, they made a mistake in July and they weren’t going to double-down on the same mistake in October.

Give them credit for their conviction.

But it had to be better than this.

It would’ve been less brutal if the smart ones at the Saints didn’t re-sign him in July and waited until after the club’s review was completed before being definitive. That would’ve been smart.

But, no, they went early and the club was forced into a seismic and humiliating U-turn.

St Kilda’s history with its coaches is a bloodbath.

The 1980s were a revolving door – they had five coaches: Mike Patterson, Alex Jesaulenko, Tony Jewell, Graeme Gellie and Darrel Baldock – while Ken Sheldon and Stan Alves covered most of the 1990s.

Then, in order, Tim Watson was sacked/walked, Malcolm Blight was sensationally sacked. Grant Thomas was another assassination. Ross Lyon walked because the club played him on a break. Scott Watters lasted just two years, before Alan Richardson was somewhat of a success, posting 126 games in five and half years to be the club’s longest serving coach since Allan Jeans – and Jeans finished in 1976.

St Kilda president Andrew Bassat and CEO Simon Lethlean address the media after Brett Ratten was removed as club coach.

But, no, this one was a doozy. Ratten was shafted in October by the same people who loved him in July.

Those people have blood on their hands and, at present, ineptitude hanging over their heads.

Still, there was no point kicking the man while he was down and that’s why chief executive Simon Lethlean and president Andrew Bassat weren’t expansive on Friday as to why Ratten needed to go.

The review was damning of Ratten, clearly, so what did David Noble learn that Lethlean, Bassat and former chief executive Matt Finnis did not know?

Bassat and Lethlean spoke on Friday about requiring “new leadership’’ and a “new voice’’.

The most damning comment came from the president who said answers to his questions about if the club was contending or kidding themselves, were “troubling”.

The fact is the Saints lost confidence in Ratten having the ability to be a premiership coach, so much so that they sacked him without having a replacement – if you believe what Lethlean and Bassat say.

In other words, the strength of the unknown was still more tantalising than the strengths of the known.

Brett Ratten and the Saints managed just 11 wins in 2022, narrowly missing playing finals.

Not everyone involved with the Saints wanted Ratten appointed in July.

Former skipper Nick Riewoldt — and is that now Saints powerbroker Nick Riewoldt? — is tight with Bassat and, back in July, Riewoldt openly pondered why the club was so intent on reappointing Ratten.

Riewoldt is ferociously opinionated, so it’s doubtful he wouldn’t have expressed his opinions to Bassat personally.

And don’t forget Riewoldt’s adoration and respect for Ross Lyon.

So, if Lyon is St Kilda’s next coach, make no mistake, Riewoldt would’ve played a role.

It goes without saying Ratten is a warm and popular football person, but coaching is rarely a popularity contest.

As St Kilda head of football previously, Lethlean had considerable power. As the CEO, he now has total power and history will record Lethlean’s first major decision as the CEO was to sack Ratten.

At least we know Lethlean won’t play favourites, which means other key personnel in list management, recruiting and coaching might not sleep easy until the full review recommendations are known.

Club chief executive Simon Lethlean admitted Brett Ratten had not lost the players.

On top of that list is list management, headed by James Gallagher.

It’s incongruous to think St Kilda’s issues start and end with Ratten because with better players Ratten probably would’ve been a better coach.

Lethlean surely knows that.

On grand final day, as the Geelong team entered the MCG, Lethlean spoke of the need for the Saints to “get out of mid table’’.

As a rival executive, Lethlean had probably asked himself countless times why the Cats contended every year and his Saints didn’t.

A ruthless, winning culture maybe? Driven by the coach and leaders?

“It’s harsh on Brett, but the right thing for the club,’’ Lethlean said on Friday.

Bassat: “We find ourselves mid-table and to pursue where we need to get to … means taking the next step by way of attitude, performance, non-negotiables, strong leadership and the buy-in from the players.’’

Lethlean added that Ratten had not lost the players, so it was a little confusing that Bassat would talk about player buy-in.

That the failed signing of free agent Jordan De Goey was also not swatted away as irrelevant by Bassat or Lethlean was ridiculous.

Brett Ratten in July when it was announced he has signed a two-year contract extension.

How could not signing De Goey have cost Ratten his job?

More pertinent is the question: How much did St Kilda’s current players help cost Ratten his job?

Then most pertinent: How much did Ratten cost Ratten?

Only Saints insiders know the depth of Ratten’s failings in coaching the game plan and overall leadership, for those two areas surely have to be reasons why he was sacked.

Or could it be the Saints were simply looking for a leader with greater aura and conviction?

It is said nice guys finish last and in Ratten’s situation, nice guys don’t even get to finish the job.

Twice Ratten has been sacked by football clubs — Carlton and St Kilda — for someone those clubs believed could do a better job.

At the Blues, it was for Mick Malthouse.

At the Saints, it is for a person unknown.

For Ratten, that must feel like a massive kick in the guts twice over.

Originally published as Brett Ratten sacking at St Kilda damning evidence that nice guys don’t even get to finish the job