BELEAGUERED Carlton coach Brett Ratten remains upbeat despite the intense speculation over his future at the club according to assistant coach Alan Richardson.

Richardson spoke to the media in place of Ratten at Visy Park on Wednesday after club officials, displeased with his treatment at the hands of television crews at Melbourne Airport on Sunday, decided against making the senior coach available.

Richardson said atoning for the shock road loss to Gold Coast, not Ratten's coaching future, would be the sole focus for the players and coaches ahead of Sunday's season-ending clash with St Kilda.

"He's incredibly optimistic and positive about coaching the team to respond to the weekend," Richardson said.

"In Brett Ratten's mind right now, from what we see as coaches, it's about making up for an incredibly disappointing performance.

"It's got noting to do with Brett Ratten, in terms of his own future, it's all about making sure that we respond as a footy club and a footy team this week.

"He's an incredibly selfless person."

Richardson was reluctant to discuss his thoughts on how the club's decision on the coach might play out, but he did say Ratten, who still has one year left on his contract, had the backing of the players.

"If you're asking me, 'Do I think the players are really supportive of the coaching group, in particular Brett Ratten?' … I think they're fully supportive," he said.

"I think he's an outstanding person and a great coach. Given that he's really been under the microscope in all my time here, which is not long - it's two years - the way that he continually puts the players and the team in front of his own wants or his own agenda is super-impressive.

"I can only imagine that would endear him to the playing group."

Ratten took the players for a light training session soon after Richardson addressed the media, which he said would lay the foundation for a performance he was hopeful would claw back at least some respect after the disaster on the Gold Coast.

"Given the performance on the weekend was one that we as a leadership group, that includes players and coaches, described as embarrassing … we just wanted to get the group up to do something about it," he said.

"Sunday presents a terrific opportunity for us to be able to bounce back and make sure we finish off on a fairly positive note.

"To end up potentially with a season of 12-10 - two wins shy of last year - given that it's been widely acknowledged that we've had some significant issues with injury, that would be a reasonable return."

Levi Casboult won't take the field against the Saints with Richardson revealing the young forward had "split his kidney" and had surgery on Wednesday. The injury is not expected to have any long-term health implications for the 22-year-old.