WHEN it comes to Grand Finals, Lewis Roberts-Thomson has one, simple goal - to produce his best.

On Saturday, for the second time in his career, he did just that.

Considered right in the running for the Norm Smith Medal for a stunning effort at full-back in the Sydney Swans' 2005 premiership triumph over West Coast, Roberts-Thomson was again in the discussion against the Hawks.

Ryan O'Keefe was a deserved winner of the medal, but Roberts-Thomson now has two premiership medals in his keeping.

"A special occasion like a Grand Final, you want to bring out your best, and preparation is the key," Roberts-Thomson said after the game.

"Leading into the week you just need to get things right.

"Then you can go out and attack the game."

And attack the game he did.

While teammates were struggling early on to adapt to the enormity of the task at the MCG, the man known as 'LRT' was a pillar of strength, taking marks, reducing Josh Gibson's impact and kicking an important second-quarter goal.

When the Hawks made a stunning run in the third quarter, chasing down a 28-point margin with five straight goals, Mr Versatility was switched into defence and was able to neutralise some the Hawks' forward entries.

It's fair to say his coach John Longmire is grateful to have the blond-headed fan favourite in his side.

"He's a great story, Lewis," Longmire said.

"He was centre half-back for us for a long time and then he went forward.

"The rule changed with the sub rule and he started playing as a ruckman as well. Then he just went forward and stayed forward.

"He plays a great role and quite often you need those blokes who are there to play a role for your forward structure and he's able to fulfil that role to a tee.

"He's a real competitor and at that height, if you're a real competitor and have great endurance, that's a key."

Despite his heroics and importance to the Swans' structure, if you were to look up 'self-deprecating' in a dictionary, it wouldn’t surprise to see Roberts-Thomson's picture.

For LRT, it is all about the team.

"I'm just happy to do whatever the team needs me to do," the affable 29-year-old said.

"Team structure, we practice for that, so [me switching back into defence is] not new to us."

James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD