Brett Ratten has opened up on his decision to stay at Hawthorn following an interest from Melbourne over the off-season.
The former Carlton captain and premiership player, who now serves as Hawthorn's head of coaching, performance and development, was approached by Melbourne to join the Demons' AFLW program, but found the decision to remain at the Hawks an easy one.
"I was very flattered, very honoured," Ratten explained to Talking Hawks.
"What they've done in Melbourne in the women's space has been fantastic.
"But I had a role to play at the Hawks, and I wanted to make sure I fulfilled that. I have really enjoyed my time here."
The approach came while Ratten was on a family trip, giving him time to reflect, though he admits it didn't take long to reach his conclusion.
"It was sort of the role I'm in, and what I do know is how Hawthorn operates and how they are as a footy club has been fantastic in my time," he said.
Now in his third year back at Hawthorn after initially spending six years there, including being an integral part of the coaching structure that led to the Hawks three-peat between 2013-2015, Ratten's role has evolved significantly, with him taking more of a hands on approach to help fast track the development of young coaches who will be responsible for Hawthorn's VFL affiliate, Box Hill.
"This year is a little bit different because of the crop that we have in," he noted, referring to new coaches Dave Mirra, Jason Williams and Jason Johannisen.
"I'll probably be putting a bit more time into those boys through the week, even on the weekends at times, to be with them."
The influx of fresh coaching talent from various clubs has injected new perspectives into Hawthorn's program.
"To have some new ideas and just a different lens from different clubs to come in and, you know, different philosophies, it allows us to maybe tinker with it, maybe change a little bit about some of the things that we were doing," Ratten said.
"Just to have some different perspectives from another lens, which, you know, we've got Gia (Daniel Giansiracusa) from Essendon, JJ (Jason Johannisen) from the Bulldogs, and JW (Jason Williams) from Port Adelaide."
On the appointment of Giansiracusa as head of development, Ratten was full of praise.
"He's very experienced. It's the only role he hasn't done", he said.
"He's got some great ideas, it's been fantastic the program so far with everything those boys have done under Daniel's watch."
Ratten also offered a thought-provoking perspective on player development, challenging the notion that AFL games are the only measure of progress.
"I watched Henry Hustwaite play last year and he went from a player that averaged around 20 possessions at the VFL level to a player that averaged close to 30 at VFL level and I would say he improved significantly in a 12-month period," he explained.
"I'm a bit of a believer in the growth that doesn't have to be at AFL level.
"That would be fantastic, but it doesn't have to be at AFL level to say you've had success and you've improved as a player."
Reflecting on the Hawks' rapid rise up the ladder, making a preliminary final in 2025 after reaching the semi-finals in 2024, Ratten pointed to a defining moment.
"We had that Gold Coast game from '24. I think post that, Sam was very strong with the group, you know, really put it to them around what we will accept and what we won't", he said.
"And I think some of those moments in your coaching journey for any coach, good or bad, can really shape where your team goes."
Despite the heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Geelong, Ratten views 2025 as another step forward.
"How do you measure success? It's not always a win beside your name," he said. "It's growth of individuals and the team collectively.
"I think we put a better season together than we did in '24.
"We did have a little dip in the middle, but we were more consistent in the way we went about some things."
On senior coach Sam Mitchell's development, Ratten has watched him mature alongside the team.
"I think he probably reflects the team at times," the former St Kilda coach said.
"He's grown from a younger coach with a younger team to now where the group's sort of matured.
"What he asks of the players, he delivers himself. He's going to try and find any way to have success. He's very driven in that."
Looking ahead to 2026, Ratten highlighted Noah Mraz as a standout during the pre-season training to date.
"One that didn't play a lot of footy last year, but I think Noah Mraz, from a young player's point of view, has had a fantastic start to pre-season and he's going really well so far," he said.
As the Hawks prepare for another tilt at premiership glory, Ratten's commitment to the club and his role in developing both players and coaches appear stronger than ever.
With less than 50 days until the season opener against the Giants at ENGIE Stadium, the Hawks will head to Torquay for their annual training camp before ramping up preparations with practice matches against Geelong and the Western Bulldogs.
The full interview with Talking Hawks can be found here.
