Because you're coaching the team, you've probably got to stagger it a little bit different as well. ".Ratten says that while it hasn't been a standout year for the Saints, there have been some highlights, like young guns Nick Coffield and Hunter Clark. AFL: Twelve months after making a Grand Final, the Giants will finish outside the top eight. "My process will be a bit different to somebody else. Brett Ratten with children Cooper, 3, and Tanner, 11 weeks, in 2002. You will be with us every minute of every day,” the 255-game champion wrote.“You had so much potential and ability in the things you set your mind to. There was some difficulty in finding all occupants of the vehicle,” Sgt Yeoman said.“There was a pea-souper here last night.”.Sgt Yeoman said the teenage driver — who was too young to drive unaccompanied — should not have been behind the wheel.“It’s an absolute miracle two of them got out of that car alive,” he said.The Hawks and the Blues offered their condolences to Ratten.COOPER Ratten had planned to stay at his uncle’s house on Saturday night.It was easier than trekking back to his home in Ringwood after a night of celebrating his footy team’s progression into the finals.They had dinner together before the 16-year-old headed out to a footy club function with mates.While there, he texted his uncle to say he’d decided to stay the night at a friend’s house.In only his first year with the Yarra Glen under-18s, Cooper was a standout.His impressive football pedigree was key to the team’s narrow eight-point win over rival Wandin just hours before he was killed.“You could tell when he had the ball out there that he just knew what he was doing,” club president Vincent Erickson said yesterday.“He was a valued member of the team, that’s for sure.”.Mr Erickson was behind the bar at Saturday night’s footy function, and said he was confident Cooper hadn’t been drinking.Under-age players wore wristbands, or had stamps on their hands, so bartenders knew not to serve them any alcohol.Cooper stayed at the function until 12.35am then boarded a courtesy bus organised by the club.Little detail is known about what happened in the following 2½ hours.But at 3.04am, police were called to a horror crash scene.Cooper was unconscious, but breathing, lying on the ground. Brett Ratten's raw interview. Brett Ratten's raw interview. You have been taken way too soon and we will miss your smile, your laugh and all your cheekiness.“These memories will last forever. “I said to her that ‘I … RIP’’,A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. The car was travelling at more than 100km/h and “speed was an obvious factor”, they said.The road to the crash scene runs straight for a little over 1km, before a sweeping left-hand bend.The local bank manager had raised the alarm and the local CFA captain was first on the scene.It was about the sixth accident he’d seen involving the death of a teen in the area, he said.Locals slowed as they passed the scene, curious to see where yet another tragedy had unfolded.Cooper’s distraught uncle, who asked not to be named, came too, but was too devastated to speak.While there, he collected a shoe and necklace that had come off in the crash.Tributes flowed online for the popular student who was remembered as “a kind-hearted kid who cared for everyone before yourself’’.The driver of the car was under police guard at Maroondah Hospital yesterday before he was discharged last night.Other teammates rallied together at the club, trying to work out how one of the best days of the year turned into one of the worst in its history.FRIENDS, former teammates and complete strangers have rallied around Brett Ratten after the coach was yesterday told of his son’s tragic death.Past and present AFL players and officials rushed to Ratten’s side as he attempted to deal with the news.Carlton great Craig Bradley was among those to visit the Ratten family and offer his support.“It’s obviously devastating news,’’ he said.Former Carlton ruckman Justin Madden said his former teammate was in the thoughts of all who had crossed paths with him.“It’s a tragic loss and our hearts go out to Brett and his family.’’.Premier Daniel Andrews and Hawthorn Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford were among those offering their sympathy.Melbourne players wore black armbands in tribute to Ratten’s loss — a former assistant coach at the club — during their match against Western Bulldogs yesterday.Hawthorn, which has given Ratten time off, released a statement spelling out the club’s shock and support for its assistant.“Hawthorn Football Club is deeply saddened to advise Brett Ratten’s son, Cooper, was involved in a car accident overnight that has claimed the 16-year-old’s life,’’ it said.“Cooper, who was a rear passenger in the vehicle, received life-threatening injuries and died en route to the hospital.’’.Carlton, where Ratten played 255 games and was senior coach for another 120, also released a statement.“The Carlton Football Club extends its deepest condolences to Brett Ratten and his family following the tragic loss of his 16-year-old son, Cooper,’’ it said.“The thoughts and prayers of all connected with the club are with the Ratten family, friends and the Yarra Glen football community at this extremely difficult time.’’.Sydney Swans defender Jeremy Laider, who played under Ratten at Carlton in 2011-12, took to social media to share his support for the Hawthorn assistant.“Thoughts are with Brett Ratten and his family,’’ he tweeted.