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The good oil on LRT
6:03:46 PM Fri 25 July, 2003
Karen Collins
afl.com.au
Sydney?s Lewis Roberts-Thomson ? or LRT to his teammates ? is one of the surprise packets of the season so far, earning a regular spot in the senior side.
The former Australian representative against Ireland at under-17 level and All-Australian at under-18 level only started playing the code at 16 years of age after a strong rugby union background.
So when Sydney drafted him in 2001 - from the NSW/ACT Rams under the developing markets rule - they thought he would take time to develop.
After his first season saw knee problems restrict him to just seven games in the VFL, and a patella tendon operation ensured a limited pre-season this year, he found himself in the senior team against Geelong in round eight.
Eight possessions and two goals on debut and his 196cm frame have defied many to play nine straight matches exceeding even his expectations and learning about the game and toughness of the players.
?At the start of the year I was happy to play just a few senior games but to string nine in a row now I am just over the moon,? Roberts-Thomson said.
?You learn a lot from the senior players and playing the nine games in a row now I have gradually got used to the pace of the game.
?But I think the key is to just go out there and try your best and give 100 per cent and if you do that you will certainly sort of come out on top.
The 19-year-old admits coach Paul Roos? input has been important in his development by not criticising him and allowing him to play his own game, therefore giving him confidence.
?He (Roos) is just happy for me to go out there and make a contest and to just take the ball cleanly and that is really what needs to be done.?
Named as an interchange for this Sunday?s home clash against Fremantle, Roberts-Thomson is finally getting use to the fact he is playing senior football, and perhaps finals football in September.
?It is certainly a possibility (the finals) as the Swans are going really well at this point in time sitting second on the ladder.
?The atmosphere (here) is pretty good, certainly coming off the back of a good win last week against Carlton everyone is reasonably happy with how they are going as we are sitting in good stead.?
6:03:46 PM Fri 25 July, 2003
Karen Collins
afl.com.au
Sydney?s Lewis Roberts-Thomson ? or LRT to his teammates ? is one of the surprise packets of the season so far, earning a regular spot in the senior side.
The former Australian representative against Ireland at under-17 level and All-Australian at under-18 level only started playing the code at 16 years of age after a strong rugby union background.
So when Sydney drafted him in 2001 - from the NSW/ACT Rams under the developing markets rule - they thought he would take time to develop.
After his first season saw knee problems restrict him to just seven games in the VFL, and a patella tendon operation ensured a limited pre-season this year, he found himself in the senior team against Geelong in round eight.
Eight possessions and two goals on debut and his 196cm frame have defied many to play nine straight matches exceeding even his expectations and learning about the game and toughness of the players.
?At the start of the year I was happy to play just a few senior games but to string nine in a row now I am just over the moon,? Roberts-Thomson said.
?You learn a lot from the senior players and playing the nine games in a row now I have gradually got used to the pace of the game.
?But I think the key is to just go out there and try your best and give 100 per cent and if you do that you will certainly sort of come out on top.
The 19-year-old admits coach Paul Roos? input has been important in his development by not criticising him and allowing him to play his own game, therefore giving him confidence.
?He (Roos) is just happy for me to go out there and make a contest and to just take the ball cleanly and that is really what needs to be done.?
Named as an interchange for this Sunday?s home clash against Fremantle, Roberts-Thomson is finally getting use to the fact he is playing senior football, and perhaps finals football in September.
?It is certainly a possibility (the finals) as the Swans are going really well at this point in time sitting second on the ladder.
?The atmosphere (here) is pretty good, certainly coming off the back of a good win last week against Carlton everyone is reasonably happy with how they are going as we are sitting in good stead.?
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