Brett Ratten's contract as St Kilda coach has been extended by two years, ending speculation about his future ahead of a massive clash against Fremantle.
Having coached St Kilda through COVID-19, Brett Ratten has been backed to take them to a drought-breaking AFL premiership.
Two days after Gold Coast extended Stuart Dew's tenure to the end of 2024, the Saints have done the same with Ratten.
Ratten, like Dew started the season with plenty of speculation about his future - especially given four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson could return to a coaching next season.
But the Saints have shown plenty of improvement this season. Last week's big win over Carlton took them to a healthy 9-6 record and ninth on the ladder, outside the top eight only on percentage.
They have another massive clash on Saturday night against fourth-placed Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
The Saints' only premiership was in 1966 and president Andrew Bassat says Ratten is the man to lead them to their second.
"As the leader of our men's program, Brett has secured significant buy-in from his fellow coaches, staff and players alike," Bassat said in a letter to members on Friday morning.
"In addition to his strong football IQ, our players appreciate his ability to develop strong relationships, which he uses as a foundation to challenge each individual to get better and to deliver their role for the team.
"This balance, and the ability to unite his coaches, players and staff in a relentless quest for excellence makes Brett the best person to lead us towards our much longed-for second premiership."
When the news was broken to the team, Ratten joked that he looked forward to more contract extensions.
"I'm rapt and very grateful that the club has shown the faith in me to lead for another two years," he said.
"Hopefully it's another two years and then another two years."
Ratten first assumed the head coaching role on a caretaker basis midway through the 2019 campaign, replacing Alan Richardson.
The 50-year-old was awarded the job on a fulltime basis ahead of the 2020 campaign.
Ratten also coached Carlton - the club he served with such distinction as a player - in 120 games from 2007-12.
After returning to the finals in 2020, St Kilda struggled last season.
But the Saints refer frequently to a review they undertook midway through last year during a trip to Sydney, saying it has proved a turning point.
Ratten, once an assistant coach under Clarkson at Hawthorn, said he did not focus on his old colleague earlier this season as speculation ramped up about his future at the Saints.
"If you get caught worrying about that and 'hey Clarko, how you going mate?' or other coaches ... you spend your time consumed by that, then that's not healthy," he said.
"That doesn't allow you to do your role.
"The thing for me is you have people around you, we just kept working through the process of one week to the next."
