Ratts was on SEN this morning, chat was more about his life as coach and how he has adapted to being in the spotlight. He mentioned he was very happy with his assistant coaches.

On players, he spoke of how Gibbs is running with the ball much more often and much harder than previously. Said he may have been trying to be too precise with his hands and feet.

On Walker, its only a bruised muscle and he should be right this week.

Was asked about Setanta, and stated that he has a calf problem (pins and needles in the calf) and is not far away. Said he thought that we played some of our best footy with him in the team and he was only dropped for the St Kilda game as they thought we were top heavy. Was complimentary on his work this year, and mentioned that he kept Pav to only four touches in a half. Didn't sound to me like a coach not happy with a player, but what gets said publically is often very different to what is said privately.

That was about all, not much on this weeks game at all.

Good on you Jonosc.

Always good to get some extra info.

Happy about Walker. He was keen to come back on at the weekend but Dr couldn't be confident about extent of injury. So they took conservative decision.

Like to see Setanta stay. I reckon he could be an important player for us. Add Austin, Bower, Jamo we are well covered for key backs. Then Waite could play midfield and I would give Thornton a go as a mobile CHF.

I think its time to start robbing Peter (backline) to pay Paul (forwardline).

Our backline has been a pleasant surprise this season and with Setanta, Jamo and Bower we should be able to cover most attacks.

With Waite playing through the midfield or half forward, he could still float to the backline at times if the opposition look like they have momentum.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

I heard the interview too. What MAY be seen as a concern about Setanta's future is that when Ratts was asked if Setanta has reached a plateau, Ratts didn't say no. Just kept saying that Setanta is still a developing player and has been for 5 years.

My take on that would be if Ratts is seeing something in Setanta, he would have quickly refuted the possiblity that Setanta has reached a plateau and can keep improving. His non commitment to this statement could be seen as Ratts not being able to see anymore improvement in him.

Again, this is just my take and not necessarily what Ratts meant. Just an interesting observation from me.

Btw, I am a big Setanta fan. Apart from some silly free kicks he gives away sometimes, I think he has been very good for the team. I also agree with a lot of posters here regarding his kicking. I think his kicking to advantage is among the better ones I've seen from the team this year.

Also, was interesting when asked about where he sees Waite playing CHF or CHB he said that Waite is our X factor and they will play Hartlett and Austin the next few weeks and if either of them take their chance, then Waite will play the other position.... lets hope they both succeed (not so confident about harts even though I have been calling for him to be in the side) and give Ratts a headache!!!!!!!

Thanks Jonosc.

Good to hear Ratts talk that way about Carlos. I think he also has an x factor about him for us & great news about AW. Was hoping it was only minor. Need him out there.

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"You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take"- Michael Jordan

It sounds to me that the "cue has been placed in the rack" for this season - which is not a bad thing AFAIC.

Lets have a look at Austin, Hartlett for the next 6 weeks and lets see how Waite performs as a floating wingman/half forward.

Would also like to see Hampson, Benjamin and A. O'hAilpin be given senior games in the remaining rounds - not that they all may deserve it - but to see how they perform - we may be surprised (we may not) but we will never know otherwise.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Yep I agree - It's basically now or never for Asaike and Benjamin and it's all upside for CFC if one of them steps up.

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I'm shocked to be sitting here

..that's nucking futs.. .... ..he should know where waite 'must' play.. ..not leave it for other players to cement their spot and waite takes what's left.. ..bollocks..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Ratts needs to be more certain his players.

I am giving him a chance as I was sceptical at first, but am slowly starting to question his thinking.

He seems to love Russell and leaves him in no matter what. Ditto Bentick and Wiggins.

Also saying he is playing Kruezer rather than resting him as there is no-one else. This is only going to hurt him in the long run, give Hammo a go Ratts........

Also has made no attempt to fix the forward line structure. Bringing Edwards in for hardly any game time, this is a recipe just to wreck his confidence. Hartlett hardly got any game time at all as well. Another thing why oh why does fisher always play up the groung, Hartlett was doing the same thing on the weekend. Do they get told to leave Fev one on one ? If so, crap tactic.

Ratts play these guys in their rightfull positions.

Carazzo, Stevens not playing in their positions either. What is going on ? Needs to use the next 6 weeks to get things right.

Fev are you still pissed that Ratts had a go at your boy Fev?

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

I am a little pissed off at Carlton at the moment, for sure. Everytime I think we have made inroads, we go backwards again.

I think I am still pissed at losing on the weekend compounded by this Fev thing as well.

Just frustrated thats all.

I want to do well so badly, and want all our goods players to stay as well.

yeah, it seems Ratts is the only one who doesn't want us to do well..

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I'm going to take Ratt's comments on Setanta at face value and on that basis I am very pleased to hear he is a valued player. Really do hope there is good harmony among the coaches, the playing group and our Irish boys. There has been a lot of troubling rumour this year on this front, but these comments give me some faith that it is rumour and nothing more.

pfft Bret Ratten

He stinks of desperation. Is so desperate to keep Fev just proves that Ratten doesn't have the belief within to build a side and adapt to what ever the situation it may be

Paul Roos and the swans played there best footy with out Hall of the side, did not harm them at all. Malthouse traded Tarrant and hasn't looked back. Rodney Eade has built a super midfield that kick enough goals just as Wosha did with the eagles and they played in 2 GF's and won 1.

Our improvement has come from the natural progression of some of our younger players. Bower, Gibbs and Murph are all stand outs being such great talent you know they will progress. Throw in a Judd and Nick Stevens back from injury and we were always going to do better than the last years

it be a crying shame if Fev were to walk out but only because we gave away a super quality, talented, respected and loved kid in Kennedy and kept the Fev

it's pretty obvious im not Fevs biggest fan, i think he is a great player and when he is so exciting to watch. As each week passes im leaning more towards trading Fev and really securing the clubs future with young talent

the heat is on Ratts

Sounds like it was a great little interview with Ratts.

I like the direction he's taking us. To think it's a year since he took over, the Carlton from then compared to the Carlton of today is worlds apart.

Melvey, fair dinkum, you need to get out more.

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The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

I am still not convinced on Ratts but am still willing to give him until next year until I make a judgement. A few things he has done and said have been a little bewildering. (eg. Setanta a fwd only, Waite a CHB only) big comments by a new coach.

I believe over the past few weeks his attitude has changed a little and he is starting to put the heat on a few players. This may be because they are already planning for next year and a few players aren't standing up.

Next year is huge for Ratts, I reckon if he doesn't make the 8 he will be gone and he knows it. This off season is vital.

If at the start of the year I told you we would win 7 games, including two against Collingwood - I reckon you would have been stoked with the improvement on previous years.

Then I tell you that we have 7 wins, with 6 games left in the season...


...I want the players to stay as they are too, because I think we now have the core group of a premiership side - but the main thing is we are getting results, and any decent player that gets traded out of the club will have us compensated in spades...

I have heard Ratts speak about posiitons of Waite and Satanta but i can't ever recall he said ONLY when refering to Waite and Carlos. \
I am sure like all of us he wanted the two of them settled in a position. He has been flexible though and moved them occasionally. More or less admitted he got it wrong with Carlos and moved him back.

He is 22 games into his coaching career. He will learn as he goes. He has already given us more hope than we could imagine.
I am impressed and am looking forward to the journey Ratts is taking us on.