Lrt

[caj23]

well i'm glad to see i'm not the only one on the lrt bandwagon - i can only hope that some of you will be eating humble pie in 2005

[chammond]

Originally posted by Will Sangster
well i'm glad to see i'm not the only one on the lrt bandwagon - i can only hope that some of you will be eating humble pie in 2005

Like Kennelly, Goodes and Dempster, LRT has suffered because he has come to footy a bit late in life. He is going to have periods when he makes phenomenal progress, mixed with times when he looks hopeless.

In 2003 he went forward in leaps and bounds. In 2004 it was like he was running in quicksand. Combined with a bad run with injuries, he was just a passenger in 2004. With luck, that will make him more determined to succeed in 2005.

I must admit, when he was first recruited I thought he was a joke . . . slow and clumsy. But his performances towards the end of 2003 changed my opinion, and I think with a bit of luck he could make the big time.

And being a Sydney boy converted from Rugby, his promotional value to the Swans (if he's successful) would be enormous.

[dimelb]

I'm pleased that most people seem to be in favour of LRT; I am too. I'm not going to be the kiss of death by adopting him as a love child, but I think he's shown enough to go on with. His game against Port in the finals last year had good moments, he's not afraid to put his head over the ball and when he grabs someone they generally stay grabbed. Also I like the way he bounced back convincingly from an Aker shirtfront last season. I think he's got a future.

[NMWBloods]

Given he's late to Aussie rules, I'm happy to see him get a bit more time. I think he has the athletic potential to be a useful player, so we'll see if he can add the footy skills.

[Jimmy C]

I really like LRT. I'd only be giving him two more seasons though. If it hasn't happened for him by then, it probably never will. One good season isn't enough to justify holding a place on the list imo. Having said that, I reckon he's gonna go off next season!

[Nico]

The key to the LRT argument is ground time. You cannot develop your skills getting splinters on the bench.

Have any of you stats freaks got stats for LRT's ground time in games in 2004 and 2003?

Most people talk about him as a Kp defender. Wonder why he was not tried as such in 2004, when the opposition and Blind Freddy could see we were short down back? Being short down back really killed us when the chips were down in 2004.

[liz]

Originally posted by Nico

Most people talk about him as a Kp defender. Wonder why he was not tried as such in 2004, when the opposition and Blind Freddy could see we were short down back? Being short down back really killed us when the chips were down in 2004.

Probably because he was injured for much of the year. He badly hurt a finger part way through the year which kept him out for several weeks. From there it was an uphill battle for him to regain touch and confidence, even at reserves level.

[Nico]

And Liz that's why they should just throw a fit LRT in at the deep end in 2005 as a KP backman, and see what he is made of.

[caj23]

Originally posted by Nico
And Liz that's why they should just throw a fit LRT in at the deep end in 2005 as a KP backman, and see what he is made of.

Agree 100% Nico - CHB is one of the easier positions to play for someone without alot of footy smarts - Trent Croad is an obvious example, although i hope LRT becomes a better player than him

[sharp9]

Originally posted by Nico
And Liz that's why they should just throw a fit LRT in at the deep end in 2005 as a KP backman, and see what he is made of.

Couldn't agree more. The Demons did that with Rivers, the Roos did it with their young FB (Baird?) Fremantle with Haddril, etc, etc, etc. If he's right for it he will be right for it in 2005. If he's not then waiting won't change it much at all.

Saddo, for example wasn't right then and he won't ever be right in the future. KP backman is not his position, period.

It might be LRT's.

Personally I thought Scott Stevens could have made it but, it seems that he views himself only as a forward. That's my take on him wanting out of the Swans.