St Kilda CEO Simon Lethlean has reaffirmed the club's support for Brett Ratten, saying that the Saints would continue in negotiating a new deal for the coach despite a recent run of poor form.
Speculation that Ratten was on the verge of being offered a new long-term deal was rife after the Saints' excellent first half of the season, heading into the bye with an 8-3 record, but the men from Moorabbin are now on a three-game losing streak and look like a shell of team many once thought were on their way to finals.
After a disappointing Round 14 Friday night loss to the lowly Bombers, the Saints failed to respond against Sydney, losing by 51 points in an uncompetitive hitout.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Lethlean discussed Ratten's future at the club, confirming that he was the man for the Saints.
“We’ve been pretty open with that all year. An out-of-contract senior coach is topical from pre-season onwards,” Lethlean said on Monday.
“We’ve taken our time with that process. We’ve been consistent I think in saying that for where we’re at now with our program and our list that we think ‘Ratts’ is our man.
“I doubt anyone would’ve challenged us on that a fortnight ago. Clearly that’s a debate that can now happen on the back of our form.
“But what I will say is we aren’t as reactive internally perhaps as the external footy world is and we’ll keep progressing down the path that we said we will with Brett and his management.
“I spoke to Brett last night, that’s still ticking on, but our focus and certainly his focus is arresting our form at the moment.
“We’re still heading down that path and we’re doing that with the right amount of diligence that we should.”
The Saints find themselves outside of the top eight heading into Round 16, now facing an uphill battle to keep themselves in finals contention.
With games still to come against Carlton, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs over the next three weeks, all finals contenders, the Saints, and Ratten, are facing a very quiet September after a promising start to the season.
