CARLTON has acknowledged the marked improvement in the performance of its playing group by reappointing senior coach Brett Ratten for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
 
Carlton's board of directors ratified the club’s decision at a meeting at Visy Park last week, in the aftermath of a campaign which saw the Blues finish in fifth place and notch their first finals win since 2001.
 
Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said the board was united in its resolve to retain Ratten, who had commandeered the team to one of its best seasons in more than a decade.
 
"We discussed with Brett at the beginning of the season that the team needed to continue to develop and show widespread improvement for him to be reappointed," Kernahan told the club's website.
 
"Brett has worked extremely hard on improving in all areas, not just footy-related, and we commend him on his achievements. We look forward to what possibilities lay ahead in the years to come."

Kernahan added the club was always keen to wait until the end of the season before re-signing Ratten.

"We have continued to provide feedback to Brett during the season and both he and the club have stuck by the timeframe to wait until our season was completed before making a final decision and announcement in regards to our senior coaching position," Kernahan said.
 
Ratten said he was delighted with the decision.
 
"I appreciate the confidence the Carlton Football Club has in me to continue in this role and to ensure the ongoing improvement of the team. We look forward to taking the next big step and ensuring a top four finish in 2012," Ratten said.
 
"The Carlton Football Club's foundation is built on success and that is what we must achieve."
 
Ratten, a 255-game Carlton premiership player, triple club best and fairest and dual All-Australian, was first appointed caretaker coach in July of 2007, before signing on as senior coach for two years.
 
In his first full season at the helm, Carlton finished 11th with 10 wins and in his second, rose to seventh with 13, only to be eliminated by the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the first week of the 2009 finals series.

The 2010 season again ended with a narrow elimination final loss, this time to the Sydney Swans by five points at ANZ Stadium.
 
With the inclusion of three new assistant coaches, Ratten took the team to fifth place this year, culminating in its 62-point elimination final victory over Essendon at the MCG before the heart-breaking three point loss to West Coast in the semi-final in Perth.