Brett Ratten during the round 17 match between Geelong and North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, July 09, 2023. Picture: Getty Images

BRETT Ratten has hit back at criticism of his St Kilda reign, saying Saints legend Nick Riewoldt wouldn't know how the club functioned during that time as he only turned up for "free physio".

Ahead of North Melbourne's clash against St Kilda on Sunday, nine months after being brutally sacked by the club, the now Kangaroos caretaker coach has defended his record.

Riewoldt, who is living in the United States this year after giving up most of his media commitments in Australia, this week strongly defended current St Kilda coach Ross Lyon as the Saints cling onto their place in the top-eight.

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"I can promise you now, the standards in that joint (St Kilda) over the last however long have been sub-par," the former Saints captain, who played under Lyon for five seasons, told the Footy Talk podcast.

St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis and Nick Riewoldt at Marvel Stadium, September 4, 2019. Picture: AFL Photos

"They have absolutely gone forward this year."

But Ratten - sacked by St Kilda last October, less than 100 days after signing a two-year extension to remain at Moorabbin - fired back.

"The only time he (Riewoldt) came was for free physio, that's the only time he was at the club, so I don't know where he saw those standards," Ratten said on Wednesday.

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"What can happen at footy clubs, and in life, is second-hand information can be distributed in the way (people) want.

"That's his opinion, I can't change it."

After being swiftly replaced as coach by St Kilda's prodigal son Lyon, Ratten took up a part-time role working under Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne.

Brett Ratten and Dan Hannebery embrace after the round 23 match between St Kilda and Sydney at Marvel Stadium, August 21, 2022 in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

He quickly found himself in charge of a third AFL club in May when Clarkson took mental-health leave as the Hawthorn racism saga was investigated.

North on Wednesday announced Clarkson will resume full-time coaching and take the job back from Ratten ahead of the Kangaroos' round-21 clash with Melbourne.

"I knew through this period, I didn't know when, but Clarko was coming back," Ratten said.

"I knew it was going to come to an end and now it's a couple of weeks away.

"I didn't get the chance last time to say goodbye (at St Kilda) and this is a good opportunity to just enjoy the last couple of weeks."