Memory lane for LRT
Lewis Roberts-Thomson is feeling a sense of déjà vu as he prepares for a top-of-the-ladder clash with West Coast
SYDNEY Swans veteran Lewis Roberts-Thomson is feeling a sense of déjà vu as he prepares to head west to take on a West Coast side he labels the competition's benchmark.
Roberts-Thomson was a key cog in the Swans outfit that faced West Coast in the memorable 2005 and 2006 Grand Finals, earning his greatest accolades for his performance in the '05 flag.
Many felt 'LRT' was unlucky not to win the Norm Smith Medal that day as the Swans broke a 72-year premiership drought.
Fast forward six years from those titanic duels and the two clubs once again find themselves atop the AFL ladder and in flag calculations.
Roberts-Thomson is one of only four players from the 2005 team still with the Swans, alongside Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton and Ryan O'Keefe, with Ted Richards, Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Malceski contesting the 2006 defeat.
West Coast has nine players on its list that competed in one of the deciders, while there are a handful of players from those battles scattered across other clubs, including Chris Judd, Adam Schneider, Darren Jolly and Mark Seaby.
The sides might be very different, but for Roberts-Thomson, this week's match-up at Patersons Stadium has sparked a trip down memory lane.
"I'm not sure how many players are still in both sides from the '05, '06 period, but there wouldn't be too many," Roberts-Thomson said.
"There's a lot of new faces, but it's very reminiscent of times gone past, and it's a very important game.
"Both teams have had quite a successful start and it's about continuing that on.
"They're setting the benchmark at the moment in the competition and to play them on their home ground is going to be a massive challenge."
A very understated character, Roberts-Thomson concedes he did receive plenty of pats on the back for his performance in the 2005 flag.
That was just his 48th AFL game and, while he has since chalked up 150, he still rates it right up there with the best he has produced.
And he quickly deflects the attention back onto his teammates when discussing that day at the MCG.
"There was a lot of praise after the game, no doubt, but I didn't take too much notice of that," he said.
"It was just one of those days when I had a little bit of luck that went my way.
"The great thing about '05 was the team effort. You see that last goal that Amon Buchanan kicked to put us in front and the role that every player played at that stoppage that enabled Amon to kick that goal.
"But the fact it was the Grand Final and in front of a big crowd, it was phenomenal to play a game like that."
Roberts-Thomson admits he can suffer from nerves before games, but a pre-match address from then-coach Paul Roos put him at ease.
"I do get a bit nervy before games, but the Grand Final was weird," he said.
"We do our pre-match warm-up on the ground and before that Roosy came up to a lot of us and told us to soak it all in, look at the stadium, look at the people who have come to watch you, and really enjoy the day.
"When we had a focus like that it took away from the nerves a bit. You had to savour the moment."
And he doesn't begrudge former Eagles skipper Judd his Norm Smith Medal from that match.
"I think I was happy with one medal that day," he said.
James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD