Goodes and LRT on board for life
Adam Goodes and LRT have signed new contracts which they say will mean they stay Swans for the rest of their careers …
They’re premiership players and Swans for life.
Co-captain Adam Goodes and key big man Lewis Roberts-Thomson have both signed deals which will see them at the club until the end of 2013.
LRT said he was excited to know he had at least two more years at the club he grew up supporting as a youngster in Sydney.
“For me to be able to stay at the footy club that I love dearly is exciting. I have so many good memories, this place means so much to me and I can remain a one club player for the rest of my career,’’ Roberts-Thomson said.
LRT has had a tough time in the past 12 months, battling an injury which kept him out of the 2010 finals and restricted his pre-season. But it’s all coming together for him now, and he has played the past 11 games.
“The last third of last year was difficult with injury. I had some good form at the start of last year and I think I’m getting back there now and am able to achieve what the coaches want from me,’’ he said.
He has proved his versatility this season, playing as a back-up ruckman and working hard in the forward line as another tall option.
It’s a big change after so many years in the backline, but LRT is loving it.
“It’s been good, as you go through your career you want to continue learning and that is what I’m doing. It’s a new role, a new experience and it’s about getting my head around it and helping the team in any way I can.
“It’s an exciting time for the Club. The majority of the list is under 25 and a lot of these young guys are playing good footy at the moment so it’s really positive for the future of the club. Every game they’re getting more confident and taking on more responsibility.’’
Now 27 years old, Roberts-Thomson has played 144 games since he was drafted with pick 29 in 2001.
Goodes recently signed a one year extension with the club, adding 12 months to the contract he already had until the end of 2012.
At 31 years of age, Goodes is showing no signs of slowing down and continues to be one of the most dominant players in the competition.
He is meticulous about his post-game recovery and pre-game preparation, and has now played 293 games for the club since being drafted in 1997.
Goodes is proud of the fact that he will be a one-club player, and that he and his cousin, Michael O’Loughlin, have played more games for the club than any other men in its 137-year history.
O’Loughlin holds the Swans games record, with 303, but if all goes well for Goodes he will surpass that mark next year.