Changes for Rnd 15 v The Lions

[Dirtyburt]

I thought LRT was mediocre to ordinary last night and we had one too many talls in the forward line but I'm sure he'll retain his spot regardless. Not sure that Armstrong is really in our best 22 yet but i'd be inclined to keep him for a couple more games yet

Really? You don't rate LRT

Sometimes, when your wrong, just admit it. He played a solid game, kicked 2 goals. Filled in in the backline when Marty went down. Swans won,
LRT did his job, as asked, week in week out.

Seriously, give it up

[GongSwan]

Really? You don't rate LRT

Sometimes, when your wrong, just admit it. He played a solid game, kicked 2 goals. Filled in in the backline when Marty went down. Swans won,
LRT did his job, as asked, week in week out.

Seriously, give it up

Please, and thank you. The problem with bringing in players from our ressies is they are not fit enough to play at the level of intensity required, usually playing against totally inferior opposition, they need a few weeks to get up to senior pace, it's also a problem when rotating the sub. If we had a VFL strong comp, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but it is what it is and we need to stick with the match hardened blokes we have. I don't think MM even got a game in the ressies last week so forget that, Spang missed the pre season and on the list goes

[Melbournehammer]

I am increasingly reluctant to buy into the lrt debate, in part because my views are clearly at odds with the coaches. But for what it's worth I would certainly be making room for tdl because he actually knows how to lead and mark, actions which are rarely found in our forward line.

Anyway I am glad lrt managed to play back for a quarter or so.

I don't think anything much can be gathered from that performance against that opposition. The lions game is important and interesting. They are playing reasonable footy and have a genuine two talls forward line, so this would be one game where I would keep lrt in the 22 because he can compete with brown or Merritt, in the event either reg or ted had problems.

[caj23]

Really? You don't rate LRT

Sometimes, when your wrong, just admit it. He played a solid game, kicked 2 goals. Filled in in the backline when Marty went down. Swans won,
LRT did his job, as asked, week in week out.

Seriously, give it up

I'm sorry my opinion doesn't fit in with RWO groupthink, I must be wrong then.

At best he is on the fringes of our best 22, he's not in mine.

2 goals out of 37 scoring shots for the team is OK but hardly setting the world on fire, how is he going to go against the top notch defences?

He took 0 contested marks against what is probably the worst defence in the comp

When the ball hits the ground he is has poor agility and always has someone in hot pursuit which makes him pick poor options, how many times did he collect the ball and then handball to a player less than a metre away only to put them under the pump

Even when he went back his decision making was average

The simple fact is that being versatile means jackschitt when you aren't very good. He is a good key defender, poor forward and a terrible ruckman. His problem is that we have 2 key defenders (3 if you include Johnson) who are better players than him, and a better forward option in TDL sitting in the reserves. Also his versatility isn't required when we already have Everitt in the team.

I don't see how we can continue to play a forward line with 4 talls (Reid, Goodes, LRT and Mummy/Pyke). The good teams are running us down at the end of games because we are one runner short, our ruck combo is looking really good at the moment and Pyke offers more to the team than LRT

Collingwood, Eagles, Bombers, Crows and Hawks are the our main contenders this year. LRT wouldn't get a game at all with the first 3 and would probably get a game in the back half with the Crows and Hawks, he's not good enough to play as a forward or ruck for those 2.

[DamY]

Healthy debate is good
But I guess we have to keep in mind that our debates won't have any effect on selections made :/

[The Big Cat]

I'm sorry my opinion doesn't fit in with RWO groupthink, I must be wrong then.

I guess the coaches haven't analysed selection enough. If only they had our insights, experience and access to information. Then the team may get up into the upper reaches of the ladder .... what? .... we're where? ...... you're joking? ...... we're second? ....... get away ..... come on .....

[Plugger46]

I'm sorry my opinion doesn't fit in with RWO groupthink, I must be wrong then.

At best he is on the fringes of our best 22, he's not in mine.

2 goals out of 37 scoring shots for the team is OK but hardly setting the world on fire, how is he going to go against the top notch defences?

He took 0 contested marks against what is probably the worst defence in the comp

When the ball hits the ground he is has poor agility and always has someone in hot pursuit which makes him pick poor options, how many times did he collect the ball and then handball to a player less than a metre away only to put them under the pump

Even when he went back his decision making was average

The simple fact is that being versatile means jackschitt when you aren't very good. He is a good key defender, poor forward and a terrible ruckman. His problem is that we have 2 key defenders (3 if you include Johnson) who are better players than him, and a better forward option in TDL sitting in the reserves. Also his versatility isn't required when we already have Everitt in the team.

I don't see how we can continue to play a forward line with 4 talls (Reid, Goodes, LRT and Mummy/Pyke). The good teams are running us down at the end of games because we are one runner short, our ruck combo is looking really good at the moment and Pyke offers more to the team than LRT

Collingwood, Eagles, Bombers, Crows and Hawks are the our main contenders this year. LRT wouldn't get a game at all with the first 3 and would probably get a game in the back half with the Crows and Hawks, he's not good enough to play as a forward or ruck for those 2.

I agree. I'm not sure why people get so worked up, it's just a difference of opinion - it's not about 'hating' him.

I don't understand the versatility argument. He really hasn't played in the backline since 2010 and while Pyke's in the side, he is not a ruckman. He is a key forward at the moment and he should be judged as one.

He's obviously doing things that the coaches want that I don't notice. I just think you could argue that TDL or Spangher would improve our forward line.

[caj23]

I guess the coaches haven't analysed selection enough. If only they had our insights, experience and access to information. Then the team may get up into the upper reaches of the ladder .... what? .... we're where? ...... you're joking? ...... we're second? ....... get away ..... come on .....

What an intelligent well thought out post that added alot to the thread, so witty as well, you are obviously an intellectual giant

[Plugger46]

I guess the coaches haven't analysed selection enough. If only they had our insights, experience and access to information. Then the team may get up into the upper reaches of the ladder .... what? .... we're where? ...... you're joking? ...... we're second? ....... get away ..... come on .....

Can't improve? No doubt the coaches are more knowledgeable but that doesn't mean they're always right. I don't know if we can win big finals with our current forward set up. I'd love to be proved wrong.

It's a forum. What do you want to see, no opinions?

[jono2707]

Whilst I have always been a fan of LRT's, and I appreciate his versatility and the roles he's been playing, I feel that Pykey has progressed very well this year and that LRT may become excess to requirements for games such as this week's v the Lions. Pyke's ruckwork is very strong and he is offering a good target up forward, so LRT should be returned down back IMO - the issue is that we are doing just fine in the backline at the moment. I am also a big fan of TDL's and can see a spot for him this week replacing LRT up forward, especially as we will have decent height up there with Mummy/Pyke along with Reid and Goodsey.

I guess the 2 x selection wildcards this week are McVeigh and Mattner. I thought McVeigh was excellent on Saturday night and if he or Mattner misses, maybe Mal comes back in. Otherwise it'd be hard to see any other changes. We'd rotate the sub again too - Birdy will get a full game this week...

[Jewels]

I guess the coaches haven't analysed selection enough. If only they had our insights, experience and access to information. Then the team may get up into the upper reaches of the ladder .... what? .... we're where? ...... you're joking? ...... we're second? ....... get away ..... come on .....

Will be interesting to see if your well thought out and non-judgemental, non-sarcastic response still holds water in a couple of weeks when we have faced West Coast, Collingwood and the Hawks again.

I love this team and am thrilled we are second, I am also an LRT supporter but in my opinion he is NOT A FORWARD. I don't think he was particularly good or bad on Saturday, he was definitely better this week then last but that says more about the opposition then LRT, hence my point about facing WC, Pies, Hawks.

[Chilcott]

Really? You don't rate LRT

Sometimes, when your wrong, just admit it. He played a solid game, kicked 2 goals. Filled in in the backline when Marty went down. Swans won,
LRT did his job, as asked, week in week out.

Seriously, give it up

Strange reply Dirty.

I thought there has been valid arguments for and against LRT.

My opinion is that our current forward structure (LRT included) worked well against GWS and will do so against Brisbane. However, against West Coast, Collingwood and possibly the Hawks, we will need another midfielder, who can play forward. I would bring in Luke Parker (when he's ready) for LRT. Would also use TDL, until Parker is ready.

[Industrial Fan]

I agree. I'm not sure why people get so worked up, it's just a difference of opinion - it's not about 'hating' him.

I don't understand the versatility argument. He really hasn't played in the backline since 2010 and while Pyke's in the side, he is not a ruckman. He is a key forward at the moment and he should be judged as one.

He's obviously doing things that the coaches want that I don't notice. I just think you could argue that TDL or Spangher would improve our forward line.

The issue is the Ground Hogs day monotony of the drop BLT campaign.

Regardless of the game he played, the same point is made over and over. We realise there are are different opinions, but this is a lock for Monday threads.

[The Big Cat]

What an intelligent well thought out post that added alot to the thread, so witty as well, you are obviously an intellectual giant

Not sure about intellectual giant, but intelligent enough to realise that some people are in a better position than me to select the team.

I know this is a fan's site and discussion is promoted, I just get a bit tired of people making statements like "LRT is a backman", "LRT must be judged as a key forward", "LRT only had x amount of touches", etc as though the selectors haven't considered these things. None of us on the outside know what he is being asked to do and what his true role is. Maybe he is being asked to lead wide to open up space and take the big defenders away from the action. Maybe he is being asked to play as a defender on the playmakers. He may be regarded as having succeeded in his role even if he doesn't get a touch. It is all about the forwards as a team and how many goals they collectively kick - and so far it is way up on previous years.

I bet none of the critics of LRT or other selections go to a physics site and give advice to those battling to contain radiation at Fukushima on how they should go about it! They've probably seen the situation on TV but have no idea about the intricacies of the situations. I bet the same critics of Longmire et al are the ones who crucified Luke Nolen for his ride on Black Caviar when she still won and we now know she was injured.

Keep posting with your theories if this is the role of this forum, just keep in mind that what you say is uninformed at best.

ps The word "alot" needs definition. It can be found at Hyperbole and a Half: The Alot is Better Than You at Everything

[caj23]

Not sure about intellectual giant, but intelligent enough to realise that some people are in a better position than me to select the team.

I know this is a fan's site and discussion is promoted, I just get a bit tired of people making statements like "LRT is a backman", "LRT must be judged as a key forward", "LRT only had x amount of touches", etc as though the selectors haven't considered these things. None of us on the outside know what he is being asked to do and what his true role is. Maybe he is being asked to lead wide to open up space and take the big defenders away from the action. Maybe he is being asked to play as a defender on the playmakers. He may be regarded as having succeeded in his role even if he doesn't get a touch. It is all about the forwards as a team and how many goals they collectively kick - and so far it is way up on previous years.

I bet none of the critics of LRT or other selections go to a physics site and give advice to those battling to contain radiation at Fukashima on how they should go about it! They've probably seen the situation on TV but have no idea about the intricacies of the situations. I bet the same critics of Longmire et al are the ones that crucified Luke Nolen for his ride on Black Caviar when she still won and we now know she was injured.

Keep posting with your theories if this is the role of this forum, just keep in mind that what you say is uninformed at best.

ps The word "alot" needs definition. It can be found at Hyperbole and a Half: The Alot is Better Than You at Everything

I can't even be bothered responding to your rant because most of it is rubbish (WTF are you going on about in the ps????)

Let me point something out to you, coaches are human, humans can make mistakes. You don't always need to be in the inner sanctum of a football club to see this. Let me give you a couple of examples from this season:

1. Clarkson wanting to play Buddy in the midfield - blind freddy (and maybe even you) can see that he is at his most dangerous in the forward 50. Clarkson realised the errors of his ways and has returned him to the forward line, but not before multitudes of Hawks supporters posted their frustration at the tactic on various forums. They didn't need to be on the match committee to see that it wasnt going to be an effective tactic

2. Ratten slaughtering Kruezer in the ruck despite the fact he is clearly injured and shouldn't be on the park. Watch a replay of Friday night's game against the Hawks and you'll see Kruezer moving around with the agility of a 35 year old. He's 21 with a history of injuries already, if Ratten keeps it up he'll end up like Josh Fraser

It may come as a suprise to you but I am not on the MC of Carlton or Hawthorn, I have however identified misjudgements/errors that their existing coaches did not, sometimes it's not rocket science.

And thanks for giving me permission to continue to post on RWO, whilst my opinion may be uninformed at least I show my fellow posters respect and aren't a condescending moo like yourself.

PS Nolen did butcher the ride on BC and has admitted so himself, nobody knew (including Nolen) that she was injured until after the race