My story begins as the son of a former AFL footballer, David Ratten. My name is Jackson Ratten. l was born at Frankston Hospital, Victoria. When l turned 6 years old, l started my first year of Primary School at Seaford Park. Over the years of my Primary school education, I started growing taller and stronger and by the time l graduated year 6, my height was 160 centimeters and a weight of 65 kilograms, at the age of 13, l started playing junior football, with the Seaford Junior Football Club and I got the number 12, After about 2 months the season started. Over the course of the season we won games I scored goals and by the end of the season, we won the flag, and l scored 14 goals and by the time l reached the age of 16, I would be scoring 25 goals a season and l also have my learners permit.
So, I am now at the age of 17, l am in Year 11 at Patterson River Secondary College with all my mates from the footy club and old school. Over the year I played many interleague club games and school football and by the age of 18, I graduated from year 12 and l got drafted in the 2018 draft to St Kilda. My dad who is coaching didn’t play me for the first month, just to make sure I was ready for the big time, but the first game he played me in round 5, I starred kicking 6 goals and we won the game, and then played the next month kicking 30 in total, eventually the finals came and then we finished in the top 8, and I kicked 60 goals and won the AFL Rising Star, as we didn’t finish in the top 4 we only get one shot at playing in the finals, we ended up playing the giants at Etihad and we won by 35 points. We made it to the prelim and however, lost to West Coast agonizingly by 10 points. After Christmas, we started pre-season training, we kicked it off with a 10k time trial, which I won in 25 mins. Finally, the start of the 2019 season came along. My dad the coach, was happy with how I have been progressed, so l was a lock in for the season. Eventually the half-way mark of the season came along and we were 6 games clear on top of the ladder.
By the end of the season we ended up as the minor premiers. In the Qualifying Finals we played Collingwood and won by 45 points and in the Prelims it is between Us and Collingwood and Richmond vs Hawthorn. Richmond defeated Hawthorn 91 to 69 and then we defeated Collingwood 109 to 50. The next week, as it is Grand Final week a few mates and l are preparing to go to the Brownlow, me, Jack Steven, Seb Ross and my dad and partners were going. I ended up finishing in the top 5 of the votes.
Finally, the day of the 2019 Grand Final arrived, we are playing Richmond. We ended up winning the game by 25 points. Over my 16 year career as an AFL footballer, I won 14 Brownlow Medals, 15 Premiership Medals, and 15 club best and fairest and 1 Rising Star. When my playing career started to end, I started to go into learning to become a coach. Two years after retiring as a player, l became an assistant coach to my father, and then when my dad retired as a coach, I took over the full-time coaching job at St Kilda. I am now 36 years of age, I have been married for 7 years and my wife and l have a 5 year old son. My son is now 18 years of age and he got drafted to St Kilda. I am now 55 years of age, I have coached for 19 seasons and over that time, we won 19 grand finals. When l retired from coaching at AFL level, I got inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame. My career as a player and coach was a wonderful experience.
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Mastering the mind games of Mourinho..
In the bustling streets of London, amidst the roar of fans and the clash of football boots, there existed a man whose tactics transcended the pitch. José Mourinho, the mastermind behind many a football triumph, possessed a unique ability to wield not just the tactics board but also the minds of his players.Cesc Fàbregas, a gifted midfielder, found himself under Mourinho's spell during their time together at Chelsea. As he reflected on those days, he revealed the intricate web of influence Mourinho spun around him."I think with Mourinho, he played with my mind in a different way that nobody else played before," Fàbregas recounted, his voice tinged with both admiration and a hint of bewilderment.Their relationship was not merely coach and player; it was a complex dance of manipulation and inspiration. Mourinho, with his charismatic persona and keen understanding of psychology, knew exactly how to push Fàbregas to new heights."He would send me messages, he would speak to me nearly every day," Fàbregas recalled, painting a picture of relentless communication that kept him perpetually engaged, perpetually focused.Mourinho's words were not just casual chatter; they were strategic maneuvers designed to shape Fàbregas's perception of himself and his role within the team. Each conversation, each message, carried with it the weight of affirmation and importance."He would speak to me in a manner where he makes me see that I'm one of the most important players in the squad," Fàbregas revealed, the memory still vivid in his mind. Mourinho's words weren't empty praise; they were calculated strokes that bolstered Faàbregas's confidence and sense of belonging.And it worked. Under Mourinho's guidance, Fàbregas flourished, his performances on the pitch reflecting the belief instilled in him by his coach. He became a linchpin in the team, a maestro orchestrating plays with precision and finesse."That always had a really powerful message in my brain," Fàbregas admitted, acknowledging the lasting impact of Mourinho's manipulation. The coach's words weren't just fleeting encouragements; they were seeds planted in Fàbregas's mind, blossoming into a steadfast belief in his own abilities.As Fàbregas reminisced about those days, it became clear that Mourinho's influence extended far beyond the tactical realm. He wasn't just a coach; he was a mentor, a confidant, a master of the psychological game.Their time together at Chelsea may have come to an end, but the imprint Mourinho left on Fàbregas's psyche remained indelible. Even now, years later, Fàbregas found himself reflecting on those conversations, those messages, and the profound impact they had on his career.In the world of football, where physical prowess and tactical acumen reign supreme, Mourinho stood out as a master manipulator of the mind. His ability to understand his players on a deeper level, to tap into their emotions and motivations, set him apart as a coach of unparalleled skill.For Fàbregas, Mourinho's influence was a double-edged sword, simultaneously empowering and enigmatic. He had been both puppet and prodigy, a willing participant in Mourinho's intricate game of psychological chess.And yet, despite the complexities of their relationship, Fàbregas couldn't deny the role Mourinho played in shaping him as a player and as a person. The lessons learned, the confidence gained, were invaluable gifts that would stay with him long after the final whistle had blown.As Fàbregas gazed out onto the pitch, the memories of his time under Mourinho flooded back, a testament to the enduring power of the coach's voice. In the world of football, where triumph and defeat hung in the balance, Mourinho's words had been a constant, guiding Fàbregas through the highs and lows of the beautiful game.
By Eric anexis 7 days ago in Cleats
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