St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has adamantly backed Brad Hill and Paddy Ryder after reports emerged of an altercation involving the two Saints stars following Round 14's loss to Essendon.
The Saints denied that the pair were dropped from the side that lost to Sydney over the weekend in a statement on Monday night, but did confirm that the two were involved in a "verbal exchange" with other attendees at a suburban Melbourne venue.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday ahead of Round 16's must win clash against Carlton, Ratten said that speculation around the incident was "disappointing".
"The boys went to a hotel, had a few beers, a few words were said, and they left. That's what happened," Ratten said.
"It does make me think there's not much out there to take a story of somebody said something, people left and next minute we've got these players and we're putting them in hot water over violence. It is so far from the truth.
โI feel for Paddy and I feel for Hilly to actually have to put up with it and I think we really havenโt got the full knowledge and weโre jumping shadows and hearsay without actually getting the full evidence.
โItโs not good for people. Bradley had personal issues that he has to deal with, and we need to respect that, and Paddy Ryder because heโs 34 years of age and he might have to be managed again before the end of the year to get through.
Reports this evening stating that Paddy Ryder and Bradley Hill were not part of the Saintsโ Round 15 team due to disciplinary reasons are incorrect. Read the full statement.
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) June 27, 2022
โIt is actually pretty disappointing that this has been inflamed. All we can say is we support the players, we know what happened and move on.โ
Ratten confirmed that the club had no issues with the two, and a third unnamed player, going out following the 35-point loss to the Bombers and consuming alcohol, given the eight day turnaround.
โIf theyโre getting home at five in the morning, there would be an issue. But, no they werenโt out that late. Itโs an eight-day break, theyโre allowed to," Ratten said.
โThe players work so hard and the opportunity to enjoy themselves at times is critical, we need a balance in life.โ
Ratten confirmed that the two would be available for selection if they got through the week's training, with the Saints desperately needing to find some form for the Friday night clash.
St Kilda are currently winless after the bye, with Carlton just the first in a string of tough matches to end the year. The current three-loss streak has seen the club drop out of the eighth after a promising 5-1 start to the season, with Ratten now facing increased pressure as he inches towards a new contract extension at Moorabbin.
