Kangaroos interim coach Brett Ratten has hit again at claims by St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt that requirements on the Saints have been “subpar” throughout his tenure on the membership.
Ratten mentioned Riewoldt had solely visited St Kilda for “free physio” and couldn’t have an knowledgeable opinion of requirements on the Saints whereas he was coach.
The feedback come as Ratten prepares to face his former Saints for the primary time simply 9 months after he was abruptly sacked by the membership following a overview of its soccer program.
Riewoldt, who moved together with his household to Texas final yr however contributes weekly to the Footy Talk podcast, criticised requirements on the Saints over latest seasons as he mounted a defence of Ratten’s successor Ross Lyon.
“I can promise you, the standards in that joint over the last however long have been subpar,” Riewoldt mentioned.
“(The Saints) have absolutely gone forward this year.”
Ratten mentioned the previous St Kilda captain may have solely shaped his view off “second-hand information” from the membership.
“Well, to be honest, Nick’s been to zero really at the footy club, the only time he came was for free physio,” Ratten mentioned.
“I don’t know where he saw those standards … what can happen at footy clubs, and in life, is second-hand information – whoever holds it – can be distributed in the way they want.
“That’s the interesting part of that, (but) that’s his opinion. I can’t change it.”
Ratten mentioned he wouldn’t be asking his gamers to win it “for him” in opposition to his former aspect, as solely two video games stay in his tenure earlier than Alastair Clarkson returns to the put up.
He mentioned the Kangaroos had enough motivation from the necessity to ship for his or her supporters, who he recognised have been annoyed after a dismal efficiency in opposition to Hawthorn on Sunday.
“We want to address what happened last week, that was really poor … we’ve got to put a performance on that our supporters are proud and happy with in the way we go about it,” Ratten mentioned.
He mentioned co-captain Jy Simpkin would stay out as he recovered from a concussion sustained in spherical 17, whereas veteran ruck Todd Goldstein was poised to return and probably play alongside Tristan Xerri after fellow tall Callum Coleman-Jones was dominated out with concussion.
Ratten, who will return to his part-time assistant function after the spherical 20 conflict with West Coast, wouldn’t say whether or not he would search a return to a full-time job subsequent season and emphatically dominated out making use of for the vacant Gold Coast senior teaching gig.
“It has been fun, even though we haven’t won. We’ve found out a couple of ways to lose which were pretty interesting, which I get to tick a box off that I’ve done now as a coach,” he mentioned.
“No (interest in the Suns role) … I’d put my hand up to go for a holiday if they want to interview me. I’ll bring my family, 10 days, can I pick the venue and go to the Sheraton or somewhere?”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
