good interview about 2 hours ago:
On Eddie Betts
Couldn't undertstand the criticisms.
Talk to anyone who has a good understanding of the modern game and they're all in agreeance that one of the absolute key stats now is I50 tackles and Eddie ranked in the Top 3 after first 5 rounds. Sure, he needed to kick a few more goals but his inside 50 tackles alone meant he was doing his job and wasn't gonna get dropped.
On Judd
Q: Played with, and against, many great mids in his time...where does Judd sit amongst them?
A: Ranks comfortably alongside Diesel Williams
On Jamison
First time he's had a full pre-season and it's made a huge difference.
Added to leadership group for first time last year and he just took it upon himself to really help the team as a whole and put in a lot of extra work to benefit the group. Ratts believes all that extra stuff he put in wore Jamo out a bit.
Really handling the leadership a lot better in his second season now that he's had the 1st year's experience under his belt.
On Gibbs
Q: Robbo (who criticized Gibbs in last week's Hun) asked Ratts what he said to Gibbs, any specific words, or was he told to just man up Goodes.
A: Was pulled aside early in the game, told specifically that the role we wanted from him in order to help the team was to play on Goodes and limit his influence. Did a great job especially in the latter stages of the game when he felt Goodes was about to stamp his influence towards a swan's win.
Believes that over the years, with the number of duels they've had, the head to head between them is about even.
On match day coaching: on the Bench vs up in the Box?
Spends a lot of time talking to each individual player in the course of the week, feels it helps him reinforce what's been said during the game. Helps to build his relationship with the players. Can look them in the eye and ask them for a lift.
Has computer at the bench so he gets instant access to stats.
Great support crew upstairs in the box and they fill him in on any gaps with their difference in perspective.
Has bad hearing in one ear so has to take headset off to communicate properly at ground level.
.... and last but not least, didn't say early doors once!
