Former Carlton and current Brisbane midfielder Mitch Robinson has told the Herald Sun that the Blues' decision to relieve Brett Ratten of his coaching duties at the end of 2012 "ruined the Carlton footy club."
Robinson reflected on his time playing under Ratten and how he "hated playing" under replacement coach Mick Malthouse.
Ratten, a club champion, coached the Blues from 2007-2012 registering 60 wins, 59 losses and a draw in his time at the Blues before being given the sack and replaced by Mick Malthouse.
After leaving the Blues, Ratten was an assistant coach at Hawthorn during their three-peat before becoming St Kilda's coach towards the end of the 2019 season.
Blues fans had a mixed array of emotions after the Ratten sacking, which Robinson reflected on ahead of his 200th game this weekend.
“I wish I could go back in time and understand how good ‘Ratts’ was,’’ Robinson told the Herald Sun.
“Him being cut by the club ruined the Carlton footy club at the time and you can write that as much as you like. He was so good to us.
“He probably could’ve delegated a little bit more, but his footy brain was one of the smartest I’ve seen from any coach.
“The only thing he struggled with was the relationship side in terms of getting to know you and what makes you tick. He loved footy and always talked about footy.
“He was unfairly sacked. When he left, my love for the club deteriorated and when Malthouse came in I just hated playing.’’
In 2013, Robinson played 21 games under Malthouse followed by only the 12 the very next season before eventually being delisted by the Blues at the end of 2014.
“It’s tough to talk about Malthouse because when I talk about him, it’s always negative,’’ Robinson admitted.
“For a boss, for someone who looks after you as a coach, there was no positivity from the get-go.
“One of our first meetings didn’t go well. The fight at the Big Day Out (which Robinson was sanctioned for) just happened in January and I’m pretty sure he broke his finger when he slammed his hand on the table when he was spraying me on the Monday afterwards.
“I don’t think the respect went either way at the time.
“You had to respect him for his runs on the board and what he had done at Collingwood, but I just hated going to the club for two years.
“Then when Eddie (Betts) left, I was done. I was asking to go with Eddie to Adelaide, a two-for-one deal, I just wanted to get out.’’
After his delisting at the end of 2014, Robinson eventually found himself a spot on the Brisbane Lions list where he has been a very handy addition for a young club on the rise.
