St Kilda's 'disrespectful' Brett Ratten act ripped by ex-staff member

A former coaching consultant for St Kilda says he has never heard of a coach treated the way Brett Ratten was prior to his unceremonious sacking, as the Saints close in on a deal with Ross Lyon.

Ernie Merrick, the two-time A-League champion coach, had joined the Saints on a part-time basis before his role ended after round 21 - but also took part in the internal review that lead to Ratten's departure.

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The Saints have been lambasted in the AFL world for the abrupt move to sack Ratten months after signing him to a two-year contract extension.

Though Merrick participated in the Sr Kilda review, he told 7Sport the only people who he spoke to in that process were CEO Simon Lethlean and club president Andrew Bassat.

He claimed any argument he had in favour of retaining Ratten was quickly dismissed, leading him to believe minds had been made up well in advance.

“It’s one of the worst (sackings) I’ve seen,” Merrick said.

“I was part of the review process the day before he was sacked, and I think the decision was already made.

“I only spoke with two people, one was the president one was the CEO.

“The CEO I thought was very fair and honest … but I’m afraid (with) Andrew Bassat I felt the decision was already made.

“I was so disappointed, whatever argument was presented to me for removing the coach I countered.

“They say it’s a results-driven business that we’re in … but it’s really not performance-related, it’s usually someone who makes a tough call without the expertise or knowledge behind them I would say.”

Merrick also suggested Ratten had been told to pitch to Lethlean and Bassat in a last-ditch attempt to save the job he'd previously been assured of for the next two years.

Ross Lyon has fond memories of St Kilda despite hasty exit

Lyon's interest in returning to St Kilda is driven in part by the desire to rectify what he sees as a "disrespectful narrative" around the embattled AFL club.

Lyon is on the verge of being re-appointed coach of the Saints, 11 years after his shock defection to Fremantle and three years on from his sacking by the Dockers.

He met several times with Saints president Andrew Bassat and chief executive Simon Lethlean this week.

The 56-year-old is intent on building credibility for St Kilda, who he twice led to losing grand finals during his previous five-year tenure.

The Saints are in the midst of the competition's longest premiership drought, dating back to their only VFL flag in 1966.

"I'm keen," Lyon told the Nine Network on Thursday.

"My heart's been opened up to St Kilda through Andrew (Bassat) and Simon (Lethlean) and their board, and obviously I've got a strong connection (to the club), but there's a bit to go.

"It was a tumultuous time, 11 years ago. From afar you watch and I don't like the narrative around St Kilda.

"Maybe it's deserved but sometimes it's a bit disrespectful. Hopefully it can get to a point where I'm able to roll up the sleeves and help get in and change that."

With AAP

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