I like LRT

[Dirtyburt]

I particularly like his hair

[ernie koala]

LRT needs credit for pioneering a brand new role in Australian Rules Football: the defensive FF. Seriously. His job is to lock down on the opposition's FB, preventing him from going third man up against the likes of Reid and Goodes. And he's doing it well. It's no coincidence that since LRT has gone to a permanent FF position, Reid's goal output and confidence has increased markedly.

Further to that, he's actually kicking 1-2 goals per game. If he finishes the season with 30 goals then it's a job well done.

Now, if we had a superstar FF who could kick 3 goals a game, then obviously you'd play him. But we don't. White can barely manage one, Walsh is a work in progress, and Spangher hasn't strung enough games together in the ressies, and has played his best footy more as a kamikaze HFF than a FF anyway.

If we weren't serious contenders for the flag, and Reid was a bit more experienced, then I'd be all for playing Walsh at FF. but we are, Reid is not, so I'm not.

Yeah, I'll run with this to a point......we're on top of the ladder..can't argue with that....but IMO the best way to lock down a FB, is to kick goals on him....in multiples.
LRT doesn't do that, so I'm not sure how his role will go when the stakes are raised, ie finals......
He looks so much better in the backline for mine.
But with Lynch suspended this week, no doubt he'll be lining up in the forwards again...And if nothing else, I'm getting used to it.

[DA_Swan]

I like LRT and would never question his efforts - would it be fair to say that we are chasing Ben Reid to replace LRT ?

[BillyRayCypress]

I like LRT and would never question his efforts - would it be fair to say that we are chasing Ben Reid to replace LRT ?

I suppose they wouldn't be interested in a straight swap.

[DA_Swan]

That would not be fair to LRT - with a hyphen he has too much class for the wobblies

[grarmy]

LRT needs credit for pioneering a brand new role in Australian Rules Football: the defensive FF. Seriously. His job is to lock down on the opposition's FB, preventing him from going third man up against the likes of Reid and Goodes. And he's doing it well. It's no coincidence that since LRT has gone to a permanent FF position, Reid's goal output and confidence has increased markedly.

Further to that, he's actually kicking 1-2 goals per game. If he finishes the season with 30 goals then it's a job well done.

Hmmmm. Your thinking is creative. It just doesn't feel right that's all. Can only trust the judgement of the team strategists.

[Nico]

Someone has a short memory.....
I seem to remember a certain forward line tackle in the dying stages of an elimination final against Carlton, where he was rewarded with a free kick and cooly converted from a tight angle to seal victory.
... He kicked 4 that night

2 years is a long time in footy.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Longer than 7 it seems.

[Velour&Ruffles]

I see him do many good things. Lots of the fabled 1%ers that don't show up in the stats sheets. I sometimes wonder if some of the people on this board watch a different game to me (and the coaching panel, it would seem).

[Dirtyburt]

They watch one in dreamland. Dreams where sphanger is Wayne Carey and TDL is a small Lockett. All based on no evidence thus far. I hope they both prove superstars but it is dreams at this stage

[hot potato]

He's very effective at what appears glacial speed, surprisingly straight kick now, talks like an academic, looks like Lurch especially in head gear. I like im.

[Primmy]

This is an I LIKE LRT thread. Run with it. And I am delighted to see that some of you sticky monsters are becoming slightly less sticky about LRTs value.

[Bleed Red Blood]

Who would replace LRT ?

TDL - Sorry, but he does not play "finals" football, and would be a liability in the heat.
Spranger - Long way off it yet.
Jesse White - I used to be a fan, but not now.
Mitch Morton - will be delisted soon.

There was a moment in the R13 game against the Cats late in the game ball in the swans forward fifty, LRT lunged and grabbed a Cats player who didn't have the ball, I can't believe it wasn't called a free kick.
He doesn't really attempt marks.
He got a free kick about 40 metres out and didn't even make the distance.
He got another, realllly soft free really easy shot, missed it.

Which game was it recently when he had 4 possesions? Thats' one time per quarter. Leigh Brown is what LRT should strive to be,

Why trade for Morton and give up so soon? what if that had happened to Kirky?
Jesse White can take a mark and kick well. His stats when he does play are not dis-similar to what Roberts-Thompson produces but he gets marked harshly because of that year (2009?) that promised so much.
Sphanger should get another go if Walsh is as it seems not going to be considered for finals.
As for Dennis-Lane what do you mean cannot play finals football?? Based on what? 2010 he was instumental in us beating Carlton in a semi (or elim?) and i assume fitness is what you are referring to re "liability in heat" - he did play WAFL seniors and kick what was it 63 goals in a season? I hear its hot in Perth, occasionly.

IF one of these guys or any other on the list can come in and find some form, isn't that a good result? And if not he can come back, he won't have forgotten how to play presumably.

[caj23]

Longer than 7 it seems.

[barry]

As for Dennis-Lane what do you mean cannot play finals football?? Based on what? 2010 he was instumental in us beating Carlton in a semi (or elim?) and i assume fitness is what you are referring to re "liability in heat" - he did play WAFL seniors and kick what was it 63 goals in a season? I hear its hot in Perth, occasionly.

.

The reason TDL is not playing in the seniors consistantly is because he is not "hard at it". He is percieved to be a bit soft, and easily pushed off the ball, out marked in contested situations, and does not apply enough defensive pressure.
If he cant get a game in the H&A because of that, finals intensity will expose him more than ever.

One thing you can say about LRT is he is a hard body. Goes in hard, doesnt get pushed off the ball, doesnt get outmarked and does apply defensive pressure.