LRT - Selection Enigma?

[Bloody Hell]

How does a guy who played a "handfull" of games of Aussie Rules get selected to play in the premier league in the world for his sport?

At the end of the 2006 season he has played 48 games of AFL football....I love a good luck story as much as the next man, but does anyone actually evaluate a player or are they caught up in the "Young Sydneysider lad turns hand to aussie rules - he's a natural - will become King of the world" story.

I obviously don't rate him as a player. I've only seen him play a handful of decent games including the 2005 GF - everytime I watch that though I can't help but feel the ball bounced his way all day.

He won't be traded, but why not?

Is his continuing selection just a manifestation of how desperately the Swannies need a tall CHB/FB?

Can anyone explain this enigma?


LRT's slow climb to the top

[NMWBloods]

2007 will be an important year for LRT.

[Mike]

Re: LRT - Selection Enigma?

Originally posted by Bloody Hell
Is his continuing selection just a manifestation of how desperately the Swannies need a tall CHB/FB?

Yes. If he was the size of most of our midfield, he wouldn't be in the team. But he's coming along ok I think. Tadhg has a similar story I guess. And he's a much classier player, but I'm not sure he's that much more vital for us than the Hyphen (despite the clear difference in talent).

[barry]

Re: LRT - Selection Enigma?

Originally posted by Bloody Hell
.....I obviously don't rate him as a player.

Have you LRT-haters been waiting all year for a bad game?

Hansen reminded me of Billy Brownless a bit. BB had a shocking 1st grand final, pointlessly beaten. He returned the next year are was close to BOG. Extra motivation.

[swantastic]

Give LRT a break he'll get better next year.

[cruiser]

Re: Re: LRT - Selection Enigma?

Originally posted by barry
Have you LRT-haters been waiting all year for a bad game?

No, they didnt have to wait anywhere near that long.

[Bloody Hell]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
2007 will be an important year for LRT.

I guess that's my point. He's played 50 games...he was given a go, evaluation time. Can he continue the role he has been 'developed' for - or do the players who will match up on him know how to play him (ie he will continue to be touched up).

I noticed in one of the other threads -

http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17307&perpage=12&pagenumber=1

- mentioned LRT quoted as

"LRT - we lost so there's been very little looking back. We're just preparing for 2007. I enjoyed playing in the ruck - you just do what you are asked to do."

I said this elsewhere but to me he has the skills of a ruckman - not a CHB.

[bloodboy]

LRT is really learning the defensive side of his game well...although he does still get caught out when incorrectly reading the play a little too much. You learn this over time...how much time?? I don't know...

He also really needs to get more confidence in his disposal. I don't think being a player who only ever handballs off to a running player will cut it in the modern game. When he gets the ball in open play, it is like he has just ogne in to slo mo mode and gets too nervous to make a good decision. They really need to work on this.

Don't get me wrong, I think he adds a lot of value to the team and I think calling for his blood is being a little too dramatic. However, there is also a huge potential for improvement there, so they need to keep tapping away at that.

[dimelb]

Originally posted by bloodboy
LRT is really learning the defensive side of his game well...although he does still get caught out when incorrectly reading the play a little too much. You learn this over time...how much time?? I don't know...

He also really needs to get more confidence in his disposal. I don't think being a player who only ever handballs off to a running player will cut it in the modern game. When he gets the ball in open play, it is like he has just ogne in to slo mo mode and gets too nervous to make a good decision. They really need to work on this.

Don't get me wrong, I think he adds a lot of value to the team and I think calling for his blood is being a little too dramatic. However, there is also a huge potential for improvement there, so they need to keep tapping away at that.

I think this is just about right. LRT just needs to keep doing what he can (e.g. the 2005 GF, his job on Richo this season) and keep expanding his repertoire. I think he is getting more confidence, but I'd like to se him go in harder sometimes. Not that he's soft - far from it - but needs to develop his sense of timing.

[Agent 86]

I thought he'd had a pretty good season until the last few games. The foot injury may well be a major reason why he was made to look so ordinary against Pavlich & in the GF.

[woo]

as a 86 said, got to give the guy a break, he has been playing with an injury....

otherwise I would be screaming for his head as well

[Gary]

Haven't you heard...LRT has passed muster...he is one of us & the GF performance was out of character. Sure 2007 is a big year for him...but if he is fit he is not our problem...now Leo Barry???

[ScottH]

LEAVE HIM ALONE HES TRYING HIS HARDEST.

[Bloody Hell]

Does anyone want to talk about that dropped mark in the GF?

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by Bloody Hell
Does anyone want to talk about that dropped mark in the GF?

Monty's?