Sorry ‘Ratts’, but Malthouse is the man for the Blues
Columnist By Andrew Sutherland, 30 Aug 2012 Andrew Sutherland is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- AFL, Brett Ratten, Carlton Blues, Michael Malthouse
The finger shouldn't be solely pointed at Ratten for Carlton's tough year (Slattery Images)
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Often a team will suddenly announce itself as a genuine premiership contender in a single dominant game, and Carlton did just that when they demolished Collingwood in April.
But by the end of this week the Blues’ season will be over, and Brett Ratten won’t be returning.
There is YouTube footage of a mulleted Stephen Kernahan, as Carlton’s captain, celebrating the 1987 Premiership by “singing” ‘Stand By Your Man’.
Yesterday, as the club’s President, he stepped away from his man Brett Ratten and is apparently getting ready to jump into the arms of Mick Malthouse.
The response to the sacking by club supporters has been scathing.
One has to feel sorry for Ratten who is clearly devoted to his playing group. He inherited a combination of number one draft picks and star recruit Chris Judd but he also developed many less talented players and has always suffered from a lack of key position personnel.
He suffered three heartbreaking finals campaigns, losing successive elimination finals by seven and five points respectively, and last year went down to West Coast by three points in a semi final.
The game against Collingwood was as perfect as it gets, reminding fans of the club’s dominant “mosquito squadron” that existed over thirty years ago. It was largely injuries that cruelled their season although the committment of the players was also questioned. They beat Collingwood again but lost to all other premiership contenders.
Rarely do people ask exactly what a head coach does these days. There are forward, defensive and midfield coaches who are usually ex-champion players. Collingwood, for instance, has a position that sounds suspiciously like a coach: a Football and Coaching Strategist, currently occupied by Rodney Eade.
Consequently it is difficult to know what real influence a coach has on the performance of the team.
But if Carlton want someone to take charge and lead them to a premiership then Malthouse is probably that man. Like most premiership winning coaches he was a dominant and creative figure overseeing all aspects from game strategy, to recruitment and player development.
Although his appointment is not confirmed Malthouse is clearly relishing the prospect of taking over, believing he can take the club to the next level.
When asked what he thought of its list yesterday the coach that took the Pies from the bottom of the ladder to the grand final in three seasons replied: “I think it has demonstrated it can win games of football against the best sides. It has demonstrated that throughout the year…probably the past two or three years really.”
More importantly, he has a presence that seems to motivate his players. He is both an authoritarian and a father figure.
Ratten has obviously been an important mentor to young players like Mitch Robinson – the two were seen hugging each other at training last night – but did not appear to be the sort to instill fear when it was required.
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- AFL, Brett Ratten, Carlton Blues, Michael Malthouse
August 30th 2012 @ 9:04am
Hairy Pear said | August 30th 2012 @ 9:04am | Report comment
It will be sad to see him go if he gets the sack. I wonder if he would be better suited to coaching another club without the history or baggage. Certainly seems to be a victim of the players taking the P. Too many pea hearted efforts but Ratts has shot himself in the foot a bit by not dropping blokes that were clearly not putting in.
If he goes, I hope he gets another senior gig & does really well. Maybe at Port.
August 30th 2012 @ 9:12am
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 9:12am | Report comment
If Malthouse does take over he couldn’t ask for a team in a better position to challenge for a premiership.
The three number 1 picks are coming into their prime, key position issues seem to have been largely rectified with the emergence of Casboult and McInnes (possibly McCarthy and Mitchell but we will see what they have this week) and the return of Henderson & Laidler in 2013, and the bolstering of inside midfielders with McLean returning to form and Bell emerging.
If Malthouse wins a premiership for the blues he will owe a big debt of thanks to Ratten for the team he has built.
August 30th 2012 @ 2:38pm
Tim said | August 30th 2012 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
As a number one pick, Gibbs is soft and a dud.
August 30th 2012 @ 3:14pm
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:14pm | Report comment
Bit harsh there Tim, he has the second most disposals at the club (although this figure is skewed by the injuries to others), he averages almost 22 possession a game this year (which is a couple down on his best seasons) and gets 5.66 contested possessions a game (just below everyone’s favourite hardman Karmichael hunt on 6.3).
Considering his role is to be the kicker off half back they aren’t bad stats. the fact is the blues need someone to step and and take his spot at half back so he can push into the midfield or forward more.
August 30th 2012 @ 3:18pm
micka said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Id drop about 6 of those 22 for being cheap though Macca. Our backline is probably a great example of Communism, everyone gets a share before it’s sent forwards.
He is a bit soft but I’d never call him a dud.
Glad to see you’re on the KH train finally, toot toot.
August 30th 2012 @ 3:25pm
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
Micka my point about Hunt was that Gibbs is labelled a receiver and gets 5.6 contested possessions a game, Hunt is supposed to be an inside midfielder and gets just 6.3, Brock Mclean plays the inside midfielder role and gets almost 11 contested possession a game, hunt’s clearance figures are also terrible for the role he plays.
August 31st 2012 @ 8:51am
Wayno said | August 31st 2012 @ 8:51am | Report comment
IF, Malthouse wins a premiership!!! Absolutely NO CHANCE. Unless the Blues do their normal thing and players they couldnt possibly afford suddenly appear at Carlton. Malthouse is renowned for his ability to stifle great players and teams. IF and its a big IF, he should win a flag with Carlton, which I doubt, it will be on the back of the previous coaches good work.
August 30th 2012 @ 9:14am
The Critics' Choice said | August 30th 2012 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Good article.
We’ll probably never know how good a coach Ratten really was. Doubftful he’ll coach again. The player list at Carlton needs fixing first. They lost to Port Adelaide and Gold Coast this year, despite injuries (like every other club on the planet) because they are simply not a top 8 side and as you imply, the quality of the majority of players was poor (you call it ‘commitment’). They have some very good players, but not enough in my view. Even if they bring in Malthouse, I can’t see him being a panacea for all their problems. Starting today they are already down $500,000 which could have been spent better elsewhere, and Malthouse will probably be demanding twice the salary of Ratten. The 2013 outlook is not looking good.
August 30th 2012 @ 9:55am
Ian Whitchurch said | August 30th 2012 @ 9:55am | Report comment
I would not be at all surprised if Ratten coached Port Adelaide next year.
Carlton will raise more funds from well-heeled sponsors to pay for Malthouse. Because of the way the AFL works, this will be off-cap money.
The first decision is whether or not to give Cloke the five year contract he wants. Me, I’d do it, as with the cap going up by 5% a year, 700k a year in 5 years is roughly equal to 550k a year now, and a Barry Hall at the end of his career was still worth that to an AFL side.
August 30th 2012 @ 10:04am
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Ian – On Cloke I wouldn’t do it, I would follow the Geelong method and abck the kids coming through, Casboult has shown plenty and Mitchell will get a chance this weekend but has been impressive in the 2; after a long lay off with injuries.
On top of that both Clokes brothers peaked early and were done by their mid 20′s and not a lot of key forwards are playing their best footy in their late 20′s.
August 30th 2012 @ 10:14am
Justin Curran said | August 30th 2012 @ 10:14am | Report comment
I think Ratten has a good chance of getting re appointed at another club. He has taken Carlton to multiple finals series and has a good win/loss ratio. Most would agree he would have made finals this year except for injuries. I also think it will be hard for a new coach, even Malthouse, to perform miracles and win a premiership next year. It will not be a seamless transition, as Malthouse would bring a new gameplan and new assistant coaches. Not to mention the massive loss in football department dollars that the transition will result in.
August 30th 2012 @ 10:21am
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 10:21am | Report comment
“Malthouse would bring a new gameplan” That is my biggest concern, whether it will take the blues a while to adjust and whether they lose games they shouldn’t because of it. The natural maturation of the players, a better run with inury and key finds this year should see an improvement, whterh this is offset by the change in game style, who knows.
August 30th 2012 @ 10:28am
me, I like football said | August 30th 2012 @ 10:28am | Report comment
Mick Malthouse is overrated, give me Ratts anyday
August 30th 2012 @ 10:36am
Brewski said | August 30th 2012 @ 10:36am | Report comment
Agreed
August 30th 2012 @ 10:41am
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 10:41am | Report comment
No arguements here
August 30th 2012 @ 12:23pm
micka said | August 30th 2012 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
+1 Nothing wrong with Ratts
August 30th 2012 @ 6:16pm
Chookstompa said | August 30th 2012 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Absolutely. He should have had three or four flags at West Coast with the resources at his disposal. It took him ten years to win his only flag at the best funded sports club in Australia and he didn’t win any with the Doggies. Vastly over-rated.
August 31st 2012 @ 8:54am
Wayno said | August 31st 2012 @ 8:54am | Report comment
EXACTLY. Always has been overrated. A different coach would have won three or flags during his time at Collingwood.
August 30th 2012 @ 11:06am
Andrew A said | August 30th 2012 @ 11:06am | Report comment
Carlton would be better served forming a sub-committee to select the right person to coach the team. Not sure if Malthouse, despite his credentials, would be a suitable fit for Carlton. It could end up similar to Pagan if there’s not instant success. Ratten deserved to remain as coach. It’s unlikely anyone else could’ve done better this year under the circumstances.
I can understand Eddie McGuire calling for a review of the massive Judd Visy deal. $400k p.a. for a part-time ambassador role was suspect from the start. Those at the AFL who signed off on this rort should be held accountable too. Carlton have a history of cheating the salary cap, having been caught three times from 1998 onwards. There would have to be some creative accounting or another made up Visy ambassador role to fit in Cloke along with Judd, Murphy, Gibbs, Kreuzer, Yarran, Jamison etc.
Eddie would also be tired of seeing former Collingwood people at Carlton, i.e. Greg Swann, Gavin Brown, Alan Richardson, Paul Williams, Heath Scotland and now probably Mick Malthouse and possibly Travis Cloke.
August 30th 2012 @ 12:08pm
brendan said | August 30th 2012 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Whoever takes over from Ratten will have to re build the team.Possible the hardest job in the Afl putting a side that hasn’t been in premiership contention for 14 years before Judd,Waite, Carazzo ,Jamison and Scotland are past it.The Carlton coaching position could cement Malthouse as the greatest coach of all time ( flags at three clubs) or leave him with as an underachiever given he would have won one flag in about 20 years (1995 – 2015).Whoever gets the job will be under enormous pressure given he is replacing a club legend.
August 30th 2012 @ 12:58pm
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
Rebuild Brendan? Scotland is the only player over 30 and will remain so next year, Jamison is only 26, Murphy is emerging as the blues premier on baller, they Have Henderson, Watson, McInnes & possibly McCarthy a key defensive options on top of Jamison and have Csaboult and Mitchell coming through as key forward prospects.
Whoever coashes next year will have minimal work to do to get the blues into contention not rebuild.
August 30th 2012 @ 2:19pm
hawker said | August 30th 2012 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
I’m with Brendan on this. Jamison has looked pedestrian this season. Waite is 30 next February , Judd is 30 in September ’13. I think the incoming coach has a quite a bit of work in front of him. Of Henderson, Watson, McInnes (isn’t he out for the most of next year?) & possibly McCarthy(who) – only Henderson is proven to hold down a KP role in the backline at the moment, I know the others are young but that’s how sits at the minute. If they get Cloke the KPF problem is solved mostly as Waite is hit and miss when he’s actually fit. Casboult can take a mark , not sure about his kicking.
August 30th 2012 @ 2:34pm
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
Hawker – It hasn’t been Jamison’s best season but he did miss most of the preseason with injury. The last few games he played he was working into reasonable form.
McInnes is expected to be out until may, McCarthy will make his debut this week to take McInnes’ spot I expect. Laidler will also be back from injury. So Jamison and Henderson are the proven key defenders with Laidler, Watson, McCarthy & Mcinnes (you can throw in White) as the third tall/ back up defenders, to me that shows plenty of depth.
On forwards in the games Waite has played he has only gone goalless once, and averages 8 marks and over 2 goals a game and get’s more possession as a key forward than Karmichael Hunt does as a midifelder, injury is his only issue. Casboult does need to work on his kicking but that can be taught, his contested marking can’t. I think we will get a look at Mitchell this week as well. I don’t really see the need to get Cloke, I would prefer they continue to develop Casboult and Mitchell.
And to me they don’t have to rebuild, they need to draft players to replace the ones they are closet to losing, use their first draft pick to get a midfielder and their second to get a key forward, also trade either Warnock or Hampson to teh Suns, GWS or Port to get maybe an early second round pick?
August 30th 2012 @ 3:15pm
micka said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Id use the first pick for a nice KPF (FFS not Cloke thankyou God). I think we have plenty of midfielders, they just need to harden up a bit. Less 1-2s for cheap possies.
We have the talent, we just don’t have the bulk and heart. It seems to be the thing Ratten couldn’t instill in a lot of them…
August 30th 2012 @ 3:27pm
Macca said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
Micka – My view on getting another Midfielder is that Carrazzo and Judd are both going to be gone in 3-4 years where Casboult and Mitchell (possibly even Hampson) can hold the key forward spots for 7-8 years.
And you have to remember these blokes are just getting into their prime years.
August 30th 2012 @ 7:16pm
brendan said | August 30th 2012 @ 7:16pm | Report comment
Time will tell Macca .
August 30th 2012 @ 2:36pm
Tim said | August 30th 2012 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
Not the way to treat a club champion and multiple b&f winner. The players should take a long hard look at themselves as they cost this dignified and class-filled man his job.
August 30th 2012 @ 3:35pm
Vic said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
Well how did his team treat Carlton supporters last Saturday night and another average season. We have not finished in the top 4 of the league since last century.
Really, I think the time to make a change was after that loss we had to Brisbane in the finals when Fev was still playing. We never really improved since then to be brutally honest.
Ratts took us as far as he could. Time for a newbie.
August 30th 2012 @ 3:33pm
Vic said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
Paul Roos is also being looked at and considering the most influential, paid up member of the board wants him do not be surprised if Roosey gets an offer he cannot refuse. It will secure his families future.
August 30th 2012 @ 3:50pm
Andrew A said | August 30th 2012 @ 3:50pm | Report comment
Robert Walls’ article in today’s paper was a terrific summary of Ratten’s tenure and of the events that led to his sacking. Greg Swann should’ve got the chop instead for plotting behind Ratten’s back. He’s orchestrated Malthouse’s return on $1.25m p.a. Swann is someone that can’t be trusted. He left the Pies on the eve of the season, and without any warning, to chase $$s at Cartel Park. A blessing in disguise for the Pies, who have prospered since his departure under the very capable Gary Pert. Collingwood’s membership and revenue has grown significantly and the club won a flag as well. Knifing a loyal and capable person in Ratten was a mistake. Carlton should’ve listened to the opinions of Walls and Parkin before stabbing Ratten in the back.