LRT to make his return to seniors this week

[DragonLass]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/robertsthomson-to-return-for-port-clash-20110512-1ejph.html

Fantastic news, this will strengthen up our defense no end.

I guess logically Alex Johnson would make way for him, but I hope not. It would be great to see a back combination of Richards/LRT/Johnson. You could then free up Everitt to play forward, or perhaps as a super sub.

 

[magic.merkin]

Good news.

Interesting Selections at 5pm!

 

[grimlock]

Everitt's already been playing forward. It sounds like LRT in as the backup ruckman with stints resting forward.

 

[SM]

Hope he's not being rushed, would hate him to re-injure himself.

 

[BarneyBent]

Richards, Grundy, LRT and Johnson. Hmmmmm. One of them forward? LRT as a ruckman? Johnson dropped???

Perhaps Johnson could take Mattner's role. He has shown a fair bit of nous on the rebound, and he's got some toe. Could work. How tall are Port likely to go up forward?

 

[grimlock]

Their forward line up is basically the talls Schulz, Westhoff and Daniel Stewart (2nd ruckman*) surrounded by the smalls Ebert (who plays tall for a small), Motlop and Gray.

 

[BarneyBent]

Their forward line up is basically the talls Schulz, Westhoff and Daniel Stewart (2nd ruckman*) surrounded by the smalls Ebert (who plays tall for a small), Motlop and Gray.

I could see Grundy on Westhoff, LRT on Schulz, Richards on Ebert, Johnson on Motlop and Smith on Gray.

 

[grimlock]

I recall, only because it was comically too funny at the time, that LRT played on Ebert at Football Park last year. This was before Teddy came back into the team though. Reg was on Jackson Trengove who's been playing back and some relief ruck this year. Smith was tagging one of their speedsters through the midfield, either Rodan or Pearce.

 

[BarneyBent]

I recall, only because it was comically too funny at the time, that LRT played on Ebert at Football Park last year. This was before Teddy came back into the team though. Reg was on Jackson Trengove who's been playing back and some relief ruck this year. Smith was tagging one of their speedsters through the midfield, either Rodan or Pearce.

Yeah, I remember that. I was somewhat hesitant to put LRT on Ebert for a second time! I think Richards has the mobility and smarts to do the job well though. As you said, Ebert plays tall, so you play a tall on him. He'd beat Smith, Mattner, Kennelly and Shaw in the air.

Motlop also plays pretty tall, he's very much in the Steve Johnson/Michael O'Loughlin mould. Too good in the air to play a genuine small on him, but too good at ground level to play a guy who isn't smart/mobile. Hence, Johnson, who appears to me to be very smart and mobile. Although, Richards could do that job, and Johnson take Ebert. Either or.

 

[bedford]

MOL was not a small at 6 ft 3in

 

[Aardvark]

Johnson was just fantastic last week. He should not be dropped. Good to see LRT back.

 

[Aardvark]

Perhaps Johnson could take Mattner's role. He has shown a fair bit of nous on the rebound, and he's got some toe.

I Like this....

 

[BarneyBent]

MOL was not a small at 6 ft 3in

Yeah, but neither was he a genuine key forward. Sure, he could (and did) play that role, but so can Johnson and Motlop. They're medium forwards who demand opponents that can go with them in the air and on the ground, and that's what makes them so dangerous.

 

[bedford]

He played as a key forward in the latter part of his career and was never regarded as a small forward

 

[Dangas]

Good news, would like to see him start FF

 

[baja]

Smash them Lewie!

 

[bungee]

I Like this....

Whoa, for all his critics Mattner's way ahead. His closing speed is awesome, his kicks penetrating, his combativeness awe inspiring and he's a proven defender. If he blows it now and again it's only his willingness to be creative. Johnson looks good but he's not there yet.

That said I am looking forward to seeing LRT's goofy run back at the SCG

 

[BarneyBent]

Whoa, for all his critics Mattner's way ahead. His closing speed is awesome, his kicks penetrating, his combativeness awe inspiring and he's a proven defender. If he blows it now and again it's only his willingness to be creative. Johnson looks good but he's not there yet.

That said I am looking forward to seeing LRT's goofy run back at the SCG

Just want to clarify, I wasn't suggesting Mattner should be dropped when I said AJ could take his role. I had heard Mattner was under an injury cloud and might not play, in which case it would be the obvious move, and even if Mattner did play (which he has), he is more versatile than AJ and can move out of the back 6. Mattner can play wing or even half-forward effectively.