Brett Ratten’s influence will still be felt on Saturday’s match against Gold Coast, despite entering AFL Health and Safety Protocols this week.
Stand-in coach Brendon Lade joked that Ratten will have his “whole house” converted as the Saints aim for its fourth win of the year, with the latter to have access to behind-the-goals vision, broadcast vision, live stats and a line straight to the coaches’ box.
Lade becomes the fourth caretaker coach this season due to AFL Health and Safety Protocols following Ash Hansen (Carlton), Blake Caracella (Essendon) and Jaymie Graham (Fremantle), who all recorded wins after taking the reins.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s something a bit different,” Lade said at this morning’s press conference.
“I haven’t done it in a real AFL game, but in saying that we’re big on collaboration here so we make the decisions together as a group and I’m sure Ratts will still have some input from home.
“I’m just the face at the moment. We call the shots together as group. I’ll probably be doing the talking at the breaks that’s probably the only change that will happen for me. I’ll still coach the forwards and as I said we’ll collaborate and come to a consensus.
“It’s just a good experience and I’m really excited for the opportunity. Hopefully I can get the boys up and we can have a win.”
St Kilda will be without veteran ruckman Paddy Ryder for the next fortnight after his two-match sanction was upheld at last night’s Tribunal hearing.
The Saints still have options heading into Saturday’s game, with pre-season SSP recruit Jack Hayes – whom Lade said was “unlucky” to go out of the side last week – and journeyman Tom Campbell in the frame to support Rowan Marshall.
Campbell had 31 hit-outs, 20 disposals and nine clearances in last weekend’s VFL game against Box Hill, being awarded the club’s internal Crest Award for his performance in the reserves.
It’s not the only selection conundrum the club faces heading into Round 5, with Bradley Hill’s sterling four-goal performance against his former side reigniting the debate as to where he can have the greatest impact.
Lade says it would be hard to move him out of the forward line following Sunday’s match against the Hawks, which yielded eight coaches’ votes.
“We’ll leave him forward and he’ll have an impact hopefully the same as last week,” Lade said.
“It was a bonus for him to get his four goals, but his running ability in that position just stood out to us and hopefully we can use him in good ways again.”
Small forward Jack Higgins is firming towards a return after missing last week due to concussion, while Jarryn Geary will spend another week on the sidelines with a back complaint.
