The crowd were on their feet as the dual premiership player was welcomed to the stage in what was his final event as a member of the Sydney Swans playing group.
The ever-popular Swan, who has been known affectionately throughout his career as ‘LRT’, ‘the hyphen’ or ‘the warrior’, took his opportunity to thank his numerous fans at the event.
“I’d like to publically say a huge thank-you to all of the supporters here,” Roberts-Thomson said.
“You’ve been truly amazing, and I think as a footy club you certainly do rely on the supporters, and the supporters here have been the backbone of this footy club.
“The players certainly feel the knocks, the bruises and the bumps on the footy field, but I think as supporters you guys do really feel that too.
“You’re the ones there that are picking us off the deck.
“You’re the ones who are supporting us through the thick and thin, and you guys, from a player’s point of view, have been amazing and have been something special.”
While Roberts-Thomson was clearly blown away by the love and support of his many fans over the years, it was clear the feeling was mutual when Swans’ assistant coach Henry Playfair made his introductory speech about the 179-gamer.
Playfair, who played alongside Roberts-Thomson between 2008 and 2010 before taking on a role as an assistant coach, said LRT’s rise from unlikely footballer to dual premiership player was a terrific story.
“Lewie first arrived at the club at the end of 2001, with spikey, reddish hair that looked like a nice lie for a three-wood,” Playfair said.
“In those early days, his athletic ability and rusty kicking action prompted someone to claim that he had more chance of running in the 400 metres at the Olympics than playing in the AFL.
“Low and behold, 179 games, a Life Membership, a Rising Star nomination, two premierships and half a Norm Smith later, LRT proved the early pundits wrong.”
Playfair went on to highlight Roberts-Thomson’s positive disposition, in addition to his athleticism, as one of his best and most important traits.
“Your hardness, resilience and fierce competitive spirit allowed you to thrive in the ruthless world of the AFL,” he said of LRT.
“These traits, coupled with your caring, unselfish and humble nature meant that you were a player that others loved to play with.
“Throughout your career I believe you aspired to live up to the words of a fellow New South Welshman and former great of this football club by being remembered as ‘a bloke who loved his footy, a bloke who loved his footy club, and a bloke who had a go’.”
Noticeably moved by Playfair’s kind words, Roberts-Thomson struggled to find the words to express how much the Sydney Swans had meant to him over the last 13 years and while he hadn’t yet decided what his future would hold, he hoped he could stay aligned with the club in some way.
“2015 is still a work in progress,” he said.
“I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen there.
“I love this footy club so much, so potentially I’d love to play a small role in this club moving forward and I think 2015 is going to be a tremendous year for this club.”
After taking the time to thank the club, the playing group and his family, Roberts-Thomson signed off for the very last time.
“So I think ‘Spence’ (MC Adam Spencer), I’m officially retired now.”
