LRT in 2005 GF

[Plugger46]

I thought Judd was the Eagles' best and we were more even. Buchanan would've been my choice. LRT was quiet in the second half.

[Melbournehammer]

The day after Garry Lyon was hosting the channel nine show on the grand final and he noted that something like 80 per cent of our scores came when cox was off the ground and seaby was rucking.

Lrt was accorded so highly because he was expected to be the weak link. It is sometimes difficult to remember just how awkward and clumsy he was back then.

Fosdike was clearly our best four quarter player

[undy]

I miss LRT. Do you reckon he has played his last game?

Did you see the post-game press conference this weekend ?

LRT said at half time that he would be back for the Hawks game, and the journos relayed this to Horse post-game. Pretty funny look on Longmire's face. I think he'll be back, but not quite as quick as he (or me) would like.

[Mountain Man]

As I recall, LRT was matched up against Gardiner, and the combination of the Eagle's tall forward line was expected to be too strong for us. Gardiner was returning from injury, but was a former No 1 draft pick (I think).

Thus LRT dominating the defensive effort in the first half completely changed the expected game plan, and gave us all the momentum.

I still remember the game with tears in my eyes.

[aardvark]

The Viking warrior will return to lay waste the opposition.

He only has a Thor knee.....

[dimelb]

As I recall, LRT was matched up against Gardiner, and the combination of the Eagle's tall forward line was expected to be too strong for us. Gardiner was returning from injury, but was a former No 1 draft pick (I think).

Thus LRT dominating the defensive effort in the first half completely changed the expected game plan, and gave us all the momentum.

I still remember the game with tears in my eyes.

I think Leo wiped out Gardiner and LRT moved around more. And yes, a hugely emotional game.

[Plugger1300]

I have always thought Amon deserved the Medal - was the man for all the big moments. Now i may be slightly biased as i had $20 on him @ $71.

Judd was inspirational anyone who thinks he wasn't one of the best 3 players on the ground is delusional.

Fosdike
Amon
Judd
Cox

any deserved to win

[Triple B]

On Judd, he seriously had 6 or 7 kicks which just dribbled along the ground. How any stats could suggest he only had 3 clangers is fanciful. That was the whole premise of my Norm Smith outrage. It was clear the judges had just looked at the stats and with the medias love affair with all things Judd at the time deduced he was BOG.

I guess the fact that I believe the judges have to give their votes before the end of the game doesn't help. In a close game that is just ridiculous. If WCE had won that game, I'd have had no issue with Judd's NS as when it's all said and done, he would have been instrumental in winning the flag.

In a strange twist, if the same criteria was used in '06, maybe Kirky should have won the NS. He was absolutely mighty and along with Teddy was about the only players who could hold their heads high at the end of the game. A game decided by a single point!!! Embley was one of the best in a pretty even team performance for them, but hardly a stand out.

Disclaimer: All comments on the '06 GF are formed from a singular live viewing and without the benefit of a replay...and there is not likely to be a second viewing in the forseeable future...

[dimelb]

He only has a Thor knee.....

[Primmy]

One think I think we continually forget is that the 2005 grannie was 8 years ago. That means LRT was only 21 or so. Still very young, and very unsure of himself. He played an unexpected blinder in the first quarter that rattled the Eagles at the time. He looked confident which in itself was different, and he made a difference.

Monty and Fossy were also fantastic. Monty edged us ahead with the last Swanny goal, and Leo had all the glory. We won. Actually they won. The whole team made the difference, not just one player. And that is why Judd got the medal. the voters had no idea who really stood out in the Swans team because they all contributed.

[Chilcott]

I believe Ross Glendenning was involved in the Norm Smith voting for that match, in fact he probably took over and selected the Norm Smith himself.

[Industrial Fan]

On Judd, he seriously had 6 or 7 kicks which just dribbled along the ground. How any stats could suggest he only had 3 clangers is fanciful. That was the whole premise of my Norm Smith outrage. It was clear the judges had just looked at the stats and with the medias love affair with all things Judd at the time deduced he was BOG.

I guess the fact that I believe the judges have to give their votes before the end of the game doesn't help. In a close game that is just ridiculous. If WCE had won that game, I'd have had no issue with Judd's NS as when it's all said and done, he would have been instrumental in winning the flag.

In a strange twist, if the same criteria was used in '06, maybe Kirky should have won the NS. He was absolutely mighty and along with Teddy was about the only players who could hold their heads high at the end of the game. A game decided by a single point!!! Embley was one of the best in a pretty even team performance for them, but hardly a stand out.

Disclaimer: All comments on the '06 GF are formed from a singular live viewing and without the benefit of a replay...and there is not likely to be a second viewing in the forseeable future...

I thought Embley was a fair winner in 06.

Judd in 05 still stinks. Ball up in defensive 50, he breaks through the pack, beats a diving Buchanan, and then shanks the kick dribbling it over the boundary. No damage done. His contribution was mainly 1st half where they trailed by 20 points...to win on the losing side should be an absolute clear cut BOG. That is how I remember Buckley in 02. Only 4 players have ever won on the losing side...4!!

[Go Swannies]

I thought Embley was a fair winner in 06.

Judd in 05 still stinks. Ball up in defensive 50, he breaks through the pack, beats a diving Buchanan, and then shanks the kick dribbling it over the boundary. No damage done. His contribution was mainly 1st half where they trailed by 20 points...to win on the losing side should be an absolute clear cut BOG. That is how I remember Buckley in 02. Only 4 players have ever won on the losing side...4!!

No point putting a hood ornament on a Cortina.

[Jewels]

I thought Embley was a fair winner in 06.

Judd in 05 still stinks. Ball up in defensive 50, he breaks through the pack, beats a diving Buchanan, and then shanks the kick dribbling it over the boundary. No damage done. His contribution was mainly 1st half where they trailed by 20 points...to win on the losing side should be an absolute clear cut BOG. That is how I remember Buckley in 02. Only 4 players have ever won on the losing side...4!!

Yep completely agree except I didn't think Buckley was a standout in 02, though I was never a fan so my opinion is tainted.
I have heard Buckley and Judd both asked about winning the NSM in a losing side and both said it meant nothing to them. I think they should pick the best player from each side and give it to the one from the winning team unless there is one amazing performance that cannot be overlooked alah Gaz snr in 1989.

[Meg]

Re LRT in 2005 - one moment I love watching the footage of the last 30 seconds, after THAT mark, LRT was one of the pack of players who had flown for the ball. As he struggled to his feet, ungainly arms and legs flailing, the dazed 'what happened?' look on his face seconds before the siren went, is classic!