Sadness is the first response. No matter what the head thinks, the heart is heavy. I remember all those years ago listening on the radio as a kid made his debut. We weren’t a great team then, we were building and this kid was another block in the foundation: A kid with heart.

I remember it was a week or two later I saw him play. Didn’t look much but he got the ball. Then I watched him develop and while others were hailed as champions this kid just kept getting the ball.

Something about the way he played spoke to that little kid in me. All I ever did was go after the ball. If I had have been a footballer and lived the dream of playing for the old dark navies, I would have been happy to play like Ratts: Tough as nails, uncompromising, brave.

And as he kept playing I started to notice his skills. The way he read the play, the delivery by hand or foot. There was more to this kid than I thought. I guess there is more to each of us than anyone thinks, that’s what is so great about sport – it reminds us that none of us are just the sum of our parts, that we can be so much more.

So then he came back and coached the team. He got to live out two dreams - To play and to coach this great club of ours. No matter what happens I hope he remembers that.

So Ratts is gone as coach but that kid still lives in my memory, still wearing the number 7, getting the ball, time after time. Always in the heat of it, thriving in the congestion.

Rats is gone but we should remember that just like that kid, as a coach he was always prepared to give it a go. I was never his biggest fan, but he is a Carlton man through and through, a club champion, a premiership player and now an ex coach of this famous club, and as the song says, they can’t take that away from him.

We should also remember that it is important people try, that people have a go. Ratts had a go – that makes him a success at the things that really matter. At sticking your hand up, at wearing the heat, having passion, testing yourself and taking the whack. He did so today, he took the whack, and he took it with dignity. He is ever the Carlton champion.

Thanks Ratts, thanks for everything and good luck.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

Hear hear.

Could be my favourite Carlton person.

Unfortunately for him he wasn't able to finish the job he started here but he would know in his heart that as a Carlton fan, he would want the same done if there was another man in the chair.

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T E A M

Well said dannyboy.

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+1

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

What a champ !

Next to SOS was my favorite Carlton player after 93 when it was Tom Alvin.

Committed himself to his game to be a very good part of a very good team.

Many of the current list should pull out a video Brett Ratten highlights and learn a thing or two about commitment and selflessness and giving 100%.

Didn't work out as a coach, but not the first and not the last. Handled himself well, did his absolute best and didn't shy away from what was required.

Whether this was an immediate thing or something he'd known about for months on end, he goes out with applause in my opinion.

Not many coaches are successful, but not many are gentleman and honest citizens either.

Ratten is the latter, and should forever be welcome at Carlton.

Now is the time to delist the dead wood! Do it *insert new coaches name* do it now!

That press conference he gave today was magnificent. The best I have ever seen from a sacked coach.

I thought the way in which he compared his plight to Sam Rowe and the 28 year old Carlton woman who died from cancer was a wonderful statement and showed that there are bigger things in life that we need to worry about.

He saved Carlton today from total embarrassment when he could have done otherwise. The way that he respected the club needs to be acknowledged.

Someone in another thread mentioned it earlier that he has raised the bar for speeches of outgoing coaches.

The demeanour in which Brett has handled himself this year really stands out for me. Up until the last minute he never just gave those lamentable usual coaches excuses, he spoke from his navy blue heart.

As the old saying goes, "it's not about whether you win or lose, it's about how you play the game".

Never a truer statement about could be uttered about Ratts.

Good luck for the future buddy and after some more experience out in the game, would love to see you back at the Blues one day.

Thanks Ratts - a great of our club. Forever #7.

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end of message

Champion effort Danny. Nail/Head

Funny how the Sun really does come up tomorrow and it's just a game afterall (My words not his) when year listen to what Ratts said about the plight of others.

Perspective required all around maybe?

Regards Cazzesman

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Ricky Gervais - “Everyone has the right to hold whatever beliefs they want. And everyone else has the right to find those beliefs f***ing ridiculous.”

Thanks Ratts for all the memories, your last press was the best I have seen, hold your head up high, always a Blue. Good luck in future endeavours.

Time to move on

Gun bloke

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I wonder when his status can be elevated at the club eg. Life Member / Hall of fame etc

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

No need.

Already in our Hall of Fame and doesn't 200 games grant you automatic life membership?

EDIT: 200 games or 8 years, take your pick.

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legend! him and craig bradley were my favourites!

I've missed your posts dannyboy, that was a great one to return with. Thanks for making my eyes go all misty.

He got screwed. He deserved better. The club got caught up in the hype. But he was a gentleman until the end.

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1945 - End of round 3 Carlton was last.

Last round Carlton made the final four for the first time.

Eventual premiers.

That's what I'm talking about!