“These sort of times can really galvanise groups,and that’s something we’re hoping happens for us. As I said,it starts tomorrow. In terms of morale for the group,we’re all in good spirits and can’t wait to play tomorrow.”
Ratten said Clarkson could provide a spur for the players.
“We want to make sure that we perform at the level we’re after,and I think this could be the motivating factor to do it for Al,make sure that we put a smile on his face,” he said.
George Wardlaw (left) and Harry Sheezel with Alastair Clarkson after they were drafted last year.Credit:Getty Images
A change of coach can mark the start of a new era,though in this case it’s not expected to be permanent,as many at North expect Clarkson to return. The freshness comes in the form of an eagerly awaited debut for prized youngster George Wardlaw.
In Harry Sheezel and Wardlaw,taken with picks three and four respectively in last year’s draft,lie the hope of better days to come for North fans,who have not joined in the chorus of their team song since round two.
Loading
Ratten confirmed Wardlaw,plagued by serious hamstring injuries last year and more recently a knee issue,would be thrust straight into the midfield.
“He’s pretty casual but he’s very driven and very competitive,” Ratten said. “Whether he wins the ball or doesn’t win the ball,his ability to chase,tackle,pressure and then hunt the footy has been showcased at VFL level. The good thing is we’ll get to see tomorrow at AFL level. This will be this the first of many games.”
In a sign of the changing of the guard,club great Ben Cunnington could not break into the 22 despite the lengthy injury list,while Will Phillips,Tom Powell,Spicer and Eddie Ford – from their 2020 draft class – and 2021 graduates Paul Curtis and Miller Bergman have all been named in North’s 22.
“You see some of the great teams of the past that have had players come through together,the youth have played together for a long time and I think we’re seeing this for the first time and they’ll be building something together,” Ratten said.
Opportunity also beckons for Ratten,who is back in the hot seat having decided after his shock exit from St Kilda he no longer wanted the daily cut and thrust of being at an AFL club.
It is the third occasion he has filled in as coach,having assumed the role at Carlton and St Kilda,where he rose to the top job,took both clubs to finals,only to be ruthlessly cut after missing September.
This time,Ratten,who chose not to discuss his departure from the Saints,has no ambitions of taking over beyond an interim capacity.
“I don’t know if I’ve got that many bullets left? I’m not sure. You never say never. But it’s probably 100-1,1000-1,maybe a million to one. I’m not even thinking about that,” Ratten said.
“I put 3000 Japanese maples in a mate’s farm,and I’ve got on order another 3000,but I might struggle to get them in,I reckon,with this new role that I’m taking on.
“It’s not saying I was getting out of the game but I just needed some breathing space for me,personally,not to be in the day-to-day grind of AFL.”
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country.Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.