Saints or Blues? It’s audition time now

Ratten ready to coach in AFL again

AFL: St Kilda caretaker coach Brett Ratten says he is auditioning for the Saints’ senior coaching role in the next six weeks, but would also consider putting his hand up for the job at old club Carlton if he was asked.

Port Adelaide, meanwhile, has thrown its support behind assistant coach Michael Voss pursuing the senior coaching role with the Blues.

Speaking to the media for the first time since taking over as interim coach after the departure of Alan Richardson earlier this week, Ratten declared his interest in again becoming an AFL senior coach seven years after his tenure at the Blues ended.

Ratten admitted it was not the way he had wanted to put his name forward for a senior role, but stressed he would make the most of the opportunity he had been given to push his case with the injury-ravaged Saints.

“It probably is (an audition), yeah,’’ Ratten said yesterday.

“I have been out of the game in the senior coaching ranks for now seven years.

“So I didn’t want to get back in it this way, but the club came to me and I spoke to ‘Richo’ about it and he was pleased for me so I thought I would take it on.

“I get six weeks to get back in the saddle and see what happens, but it’s one thing that I have done for a long time and I enjoy coaching and this playing group I have really enjoyed being around whether I am the senior coach or an assistant coach they are a good bunch of kids and men and they are easy to coach.”

Asked if he would consider going through the process for the senior coaching role at Carlton if he was approached, Ratten said he would think about it – but stressed his focus was on St Kilda.

Ratten coached the Blues from 2007 to 2012 before being replaced by Michael Malthouse. He was assistant to Alastair Clarkson during Hawthorn’s threepeat premierships of 2013-2015.

Leading up the 2015 finals series his teenage son Cooper died in a car accident.

Director of footy Chris Judd, president Mark LoGiudice and chief executive Cain Liddle will form part of a panel to appoint the Blues next coach.

Voss met with Blues officials in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The Brisbane triple premiership skipper coached the Lions from 2009-13 before joining the Power at the end of 2014.

Carlton has sought a replacement for Brendon Bolton since dumping him last month.

Power star Robbie Gray added to those endorsing Voss’s credentials, telling SEN radio the club’s former midfield manager turned senior assistant was ready to return to a top role somewhere.

“He’s been super for us and (has) a great footy mind,” Gray said. “He’s obviously got heaps of experience and sees it (the game) really well.

“When he speaks, everyone listens – he does have that presence about him.”