LRT needs his own thread

[ROK Lobster]

LRT: Yes or No?

[wollongongswan]

Yes
He's not ready to be centre half back yet and certainly not a ruckman, he can't read the game well enough (when he gets the ball, it takes him an eternity to decide what to do with it). But he has played well enough and shown enough potential to persist with him at least until the end of the season. His skills should improve and hopefully with that he'll get better at making decisions when he has the ball.
Most importantly, who do we have ready to replace him with in the backline that hasn't been tried before?

[Young Blood]

Thanks ROK.
The results of this poll will decide whether LRT has overtaken Mathews as the RWO most-blamed player in 2005.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Thanks ROK.
The results of this poll will decide whether LRT has overtaken Mathews as the RWO most-blamed player in 2005.

Does anyone seriously lay the blame for our woes at the feet of an individual player. Personally, I do not think that LRT has what it takes. However, I do not think that he is responsible for the poor performances of the side, or has made the better performances less than they ought to have, or otherwise would have, been. Much as it may suprose some readers I will also be very happy if my perceptions are proved wrong and he becomes a 150 game player for us.

[SimonH]

In answer to the question: Yes! LRT does need his own thread!

[midaro]

LRT has now played 29 games.
I can't think of a worse player--in modern times--that has been given that much time and done so little.

[barry]

Originally posted by midaro
LRT has now played 29 games.
I can't think of a worse player--in modern times--that has been given that much time and done so little.

I could name a whole team. Leon Davis, Rhyse Shaw played grand finals and shouldnt have the privelege to tie LRT's shoelaces.

The obsession some people have against the young bloke is getting spiteful.
In a team without many tall options, especially young tall options and a completely sub-standard reserves comp, it is imperitive we develop KPP players through the seniors. Harsh but true.

As usual the ones calling for LRT to be dropped, have no replacement in mind (Heaven forbid if we "try" saddington again). Lets not forget that Schauble has at most 2 years left, and any drafting/trading opportunities that present themselves in the short term have to address the midfield.
We have to develop young players. LRT hasnt cost us a game (like some in the team have), and will be benefiting a lot from the exposure against the leagues best CHF's. LRT's 2003 was pretty impressive, so we know he has the goods even based on present form.

He's young and he's having a red hot go. Thats what we require at the moment, as this season is at the stage of rebuilding if not now then fairly soon.

I'd rather rebuild with LRT getting a years experience at CHB, and picking up good draft picks, than finish in the lower half of the 8 again.

[Newbie]

Originally posted by barry
I could name a whole team. Leon Davis, Rhyse Shaw played grand finals and shouldnt have the privelege to tie LRT's shoelaces.

The obsession some people have against the young bloke is getting spiteful.
In a team without many tall options, especially young tall options and a completely sub-standard reserves comp, it is imperitive we develop KPP players through the seniors. Harsh but true.

As usual the ones calling for LRT to be dropped, have no replacement in mind (Heaven forbid if we "try" saddington again). Lets not forget that Schauble has at most 2 years left, and any drafting/trading opportunities that present themselves in the short term have to address the midfield.
We have to develop young players. LRT hasnt cost us a game (like some in the team have), and will be benefiting a lot from the exposure against the leagues best CHF's. LRT's 2003 was pretty impressive, so we know he has the goods even based on present form.

He's young and he's having a red hot go. Thats what we require at the moment, as this season is at the stage of rebuilding if not now then fairly soon.

I'd rather rebuild with LRT getting a years experience at CHB, and picking up good draft picks, than finish in the lower half of the 8 again.

with you Barry. Dropping LRT solves none of our problems.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Newbie
with you Barry. Dropping LRT solves none of our problems.

But does keeping him prolong them?

[motorace_182]

I am astounded that there are people out there that actually believe that the kid hjas an ounce of talent within him. He is the biggest nuffie on our list.

[barry]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
But does keeping him prolong them?

How ?

There are plenty of other spots in the side to promote young players into while keeping LRT, so surely your reasoning cant be that he's keeping other players out? No?

[Sean]

I think Lucas kicked two goals on LRT and one was a bit unfortunate after we turned the ball over in defence. From memory he also kicked one on Goodes and one on B2. Perhaps LRT was still on him then as well but was caught out of position - don't think so though.

So, I'd say it was definitely a win to Lucas but LRT did a reasonable job - had a few good spoils that I remember. Also, despite racking up about half of our total clangers in a five second period he continued to follow the ball and almost created a goal. That's good to see (saw Moore do something similar to which was a good sign).

He hasn't won us a game this season but he hasn't lost us one either yet. Until he does start to cost us games it's worth continuing his development IMHO.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by barry
The obsession some people have against the young bloke is getting spiteful.

It's hardly spiteful - it's simply a view that he's probably the weakest player in the side and doesn't show the huge improvement needed to be an AFL player. I think your defence of him is becoming obsessive.

In a team without many tall options, especially young tall options and a completely sub-standard reserves comp, it is imperitive we develop KPP players through the seniors. Harsh but true.

No problem with that, but I don't think he is the one. I think we need to develop some young KPPs who actually have football experience and skills. LRT has neither.

As usual the ones calling for LRT to be dropped, have no replacement in mind

You really don't read what anyone else says do you...

We have to develop young players. LRT hasnt cost us a game (like some in the team have), and will be benefiting a lot from the exposure against the leagues best CHF's. LRT's 2003 was pretty impressive, so we know he has the goods even based on present form.

Not sur eif you'd actually call his season impressive. Look at Rivers of Melbourne - now he had an imprssive season.

He's young and he's having a red hot go. Thats what we require at the moment

No, we actually need guys that can actually play football. We tend to get too many athletes.

I'd rather rebuild with LRT getting a years experience at CHB, and picking up good draft picks, than finish in the lower half of the 8 again.

I would too but I don't think LRT is the answer.

[barry]

Originally posted by motorace_182
I am astounded that there are people out there that actually believe that the kid hjas an ounce of talent within him. He is the biggest nuffie on our list.

A typical spiteful attack, with no replacement plan.
motorace_182 contribution to team balance: zero.

[barry]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
It's hardly spiteful - it's simply a view that he's probably the weakest player in the side and doesn't show the huge improvement needed to be an AFL player. I think your defence of him is becoming obsessive.

I was about to comment on another LRT thread that your attacks were bordering on obsessive. Depends on which side of the fence you sit I guess. But I rest easy being labelled obssesive defending a young player asked to do big jobs.

[B]
No problem with that, but I don't think he is the one. I think we need to develop some young KPPs who actually have football experience and skills. LRT has neither.
[B]
You really don't read what anyone else says do you...

[B]
Not sur eif you'd actually call his season impressive. Look at Rivers of Melbourne - now he had an imprssive season.
[B]
No, we actually need guys that can actually play football. We tend to get too many athletes.

I would too but I don't think LRT is the answer.

No mention of who you would replace him with.