LRT's marking

[Melbournehammer]

I would say a very much improved player but still gets beaten too often. On the 50-50 contests he drew even - which is better than in the past...but he fundamentally needs the third man up to help him

[barry]

LRT is now the complete CHB.

I shall pat myself on the back with a self congratulory "I told you so".


His weakness is being dragged back to FB. Which if you look at the "Mooney 5 minutes that won the game", thats where he was.

I doubt he'll ever be a FB, because he doesnt have the leg speed, so he needs to dictate play by pushing up the ground, and presenting up forward occationally.

All in all, a very sucessful conversion from a rugby background. Him, Jack, even Pike make me think karmichael hunt will be very hand in a few years time. We should be targetting a few RL types ourselves.

[Go Swannies]

We should be targetting a few RL types ourselves.

Willie Mason at FF? It'd be like the Incredible Hulk.

[Armchair Coach]

So, on that inflexible criteria, neither B2 or Scarlett deserve their spots in their teams, either? Scarlett was beaten a few times by a novice 21 year old for goodness sake.

Hardly inflexible. Here we are saying how improved he is (and yes, we should), yet he seldom gets his name in the "official" best players list. Can't say the same for B2 or Scarlett, both of whom having had injuries this year. Both of whom being much more consistent and solid in their roles.

LRT is serviceable at his best, but he definitely is no world-beater.

[Lohengrin]

LRT is now the complete CHB.

Hahaha!

[Triple B]

Had a good game, but gave away 2 contested marks in the square in quick succession that almost sealed the game. Gave the Cats their 22 point lead. Aside from those marks probably broke even with Mooney.

One of those he was beaten for sure, the one Leo tried to help but missed the ball.

The second one was due to a great kick by Mackie who kicked it long OVER the contest when he saw Mooney was behind LRT. Any FF worth his place will always either mark it or receive a free because the fullbacks options are almost always 'give away a free' or 'let him mark it'.

I reckon those 5 minutes let Mooney break even on the night, maybe slightly shade him, but apart from that short period, LRT had his measure, IMO.

[bandwagon]

In tight games against the top two teams, his opponents were still able to get away from him, read the play better, lead early, and kick goals. Sorry...I'm just not feeling the love. I really think Grundy will do LRT's job better in the future.

All defenders get beaten - even Scarlett, as someone has already mentioned. LRT has greatly improved, I wouldn't be surprised so see him sneak into the Top10 of the B&F.

And Grundy - Shouldn't we be grooming him as C.Bolton's replacement? Our undersized lynchpin of the backline will be 30 next year and I can't see any other KP defenders on the horizon.

[Armchair Coach]

All defenders get beaten - even Scarlett, as someone has already mentioned. LRT has greatly improved, I wouldn't be surprised so see him sneak into the Top10 of the B&F.

And Grundy - Shouldn't we be grooming him as C.Bolton's replacement? Our undersized lynchpin of the backline will be 30 next year and I can't see any other KP defenders on the horizon.

They do get beaten. I just notice LRT doing it more frequently than others. Throwing an All Australian defender's name into the mix is a straw argument. Scarlett has been injured and will return to his best. Basically, if its taken LRT this long to improve, without the scrutiny that other players cop (Shaw seems a popular target on this board-and I for one can't really see why), then someone up there likes him lots. I'm just not one of those people.

[bandwagon]

They do get beaten. I just notice LRT doing it more frequently than others.

That is fair enough, but are the 'others' you are comparing him to the Scarletts, Bocks and Ruttens? A more appropriate comparison may be with Merrett/Josh Gibson/Troy Chaplin - ie. not champions, but key defenders worth their place in their side. LRT probably goes ok in that company.

If Grundy develops to be a better defender than LRT, I'll be rapt. But logically he would be taking the place of Cbolton, wouldn't he? Even if LRT was played as a 3rd tall, I can't see him being dropped any time soon.

[Armchair Coach]

That is fair enough, but are the 'others' you are comparing him to the Scarletts, Bocks and Ruttens? A more appropriate comparison may be with Merrett/Josh Gibson/Troy Chaplin - ie. not champions, but key defenders worth their place in their side. LRT probably goes ok in that company.

I think you're right with that comparison. As I say, LRT is serviceable at best (I just can't help feeling frustrated or nervous when he gets near the ball). His best is good, his worst leaves me scratching my head over how he's made it to the top level.

If Grundy develops to be a better defender than LRT, I'll be rapt. But logically he would be taking the place of Cbolton, wouldn't he? Even if LRT was played as a 3rd tall, I can't see him being dropped any time soon.

That's what I'm hoping for with Grundy. Lots of potential, evn at FB. I guess with LRT, I just want him to be a better defender than LRT (if that makes sense). FWIW, I don't hate LRT or him being in our team, and I certainly don't watch any of our players hoping to see them fail to justify my own feelings, but he is one bloke who makes me say "Aaaargh!" alot. I'm guessing a KP defender has to be high on the list for the club.

[Bloods05]

I think you're right with that comparison. As I say, LRT is serviceable at best (I just can't help feeling frustrated or nervous when he gets near the ball). His best is good, his worst leaves me scratching my head over how he's made it to the top level.



That's what I'm hoping for with Grundy. Lots of potential, evn at FB. I guess with LRT, I just want him to be a better defender than LRT (if that makes sense). FWIW, I don't hate LRT or him being in our team, and I certainly don't watch any of our players hoping to see them fail to justify my own feelings, but he is one bloke who makes me say "Aaaargh!" alot. I'm guessing a KP defender has to be high on the list for the club.

Can't really disagree with much of that. I was just commenting on the improvement in his marking. I've thought for a long time that we can't afford to have a tall defender who can't mark overhead. Now he can. I've always thought he has tremendous courage, and his evasive skills are better than they were. There are still major deficiencies in his game and he'll never be a star, but it's great to see his marking improving, and let's hope it continues.

[Bloody Hell]

One of those he was beaten for sure, the one Leo tried to help but missed the ball.

The second one was due to a great kick by Mackie who kicked it long OVER the contest when he saw Mooney was behind LRT. Any FF worth his place will always either mark it or receive a free because the fullbacks options are almost always 'give away a free' or 'let him mark it'.

Nope - The second one was straight after the first one you mention. Centre clearance, Selwood kicks long, Mooney outmarks LRT cold.

The Mackie one was just a good kick.

[Lucky Knickers]

His mark was almost Capper-esque with that sideways float.

[Darren Thomson]

The best all-round 4-quarter game of his career.

Might have to agree, although I think hs first half of the 2005 gf was worth about three games

[Cardinal]

Sometimes I think we have to admit that there isn't a better player available for that position or who can grow into that position ie LRT performs a very valauble role for the Swans.