Relton Roberts

[Judge Roughneck]

In the NT News today, Roberts says he regrets not giving his brief AFL career at Richmond a red-hot go.

GIVE RELTON ANOTHER CHANCE

 

[one-eyed]

Here's the full article.....

Relton's regret
GREY MORRIS
September 15th, 2010

RELTON Roberts regrets not giving his brief AFL career at Richmond a red-hot go.

The 24-year-old from Ngukurr in the Territory's Roper River region returned home in July when Richmond told him to head north and sort out his personal life.

"I wanted to play AFL footy but I found it really hard with my family up here and me down there in Melbourne," the quicksilver forward said.

"Thinking back I probably should have stayed and played AFL.

"Particularly when my family situation changed a fair bit after I got back home."

Richmond's silence on the Roberts saga has been deafening since he left the club more than two months ago.

Several attempts by the NT News to speak with the club's football manager Craig Cameron or their welfare officers have been unsuccessful.

Roberts has not spoken to anyone at Richmond since his untimely exit from Punt Road but the "Ngandi Storm's" highlights reel includes two league games (Carlton and Sydney).

Despite losing against Carlton, he had a dream debut grabbing five marks, seven kicks and a behind. He even had a smattering of tackles throughout the MCG showdown and looked sharp as he ran on to the field, sporting the famous Richmond yellow and black with No. 50 on his back, complete with eye-catching white footy boots.

He started the game on the bench before being brought on to man the forward line and showed good speed.

Interestingly, Roberts played part of the game on fellow Northern Territory product Joe Anderson. In his Sydney encounter he was knocked out, and later was in trouble for breaking a night curfew and also warned for eating a hamburger before a VFL match.

"I haven't spoken to them since I've been back and that's a bit disappointing," Roberts said. "So it's over for me and that's pretty sad, especially for my fans and my family up here. But one thing I'm pretty proud of and something I can tell my sons and grandkids, is that I made it to the AFL.

"If I can do it, everyone can, and that includes a lot of young Territory boys who want to play AFL footy and have dreamed about it for a long time.

My advice is don't just dream - grab it with both your hands and give it your best shot without any distractions."

Roberts has already trained with his NTFL club Wanderers in preparation for the NTFL this season.

"I'm sticking with the Eagles until I retire, they'll always be my club," he said.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/09/15/179571_ntsport.html

[one-eyed]

Back in Eagles nest
NT News
Grey Morris
October 15th, 2010

RELTON Roberts wasted no time slipping into a blue and gold Wanderers jumper last night, six months after discarding the black and gold of AFL club Richmond.

Ngukurr-born Roberts was officially delisted by the Tigers yesterday, joining Tom Hislop, Jordan McMahon, Adam Thomson and rookie Alroy Gilligan in the ex-Tigers club.

But the 24-year-old has no regrets about his two-game career in Australian football's "Big Show" that saw him playing in front of 60,000-strong crowds.

"I enjoyed it while I was there but I knew two months ago my time in Melbourne was up," he said.

"All I want to do now is play for my old side Wanderers and hopefully kick a few goals for coach Paul (Motlop) and get them into the finals.

"We've got a lot of depth there now with juniors like Simon Bates, Jarred Erlandson and David Kruse coming through and good players like Damien Roe joining the club."

Roberts said he was definitely looking forward rather than back on what had been a tough time in the AFL and coming to grips with life in a footy mad city like Melbourne.

"I'll tell my grandchildren about playing for the Tigers and just being part of the AFL," he said.

"But now it's full steam ahead at Wanderers, I haven't played for them since last December so I'm really looking forward to running out with all of my old teammates again.

"Shane Thorne will be back at Christmas, Shane Thompson is nearly over a knee injury, the Motlop boys (Aaron and Thomas) are very good players and we've picked up Damien Roe from Nightcliff, so we're looking pretty good this early in the season."

Roberts makes his comeback against reigning premier and Wanderers' nemesis in recent years, St Marys.

"We've had a bit of trouble with Saints and I'm not sure why," he said.

"Maybe it's a bit of mental toughness we've been lacking, but either way we'll be keen to change all that this week."

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/10/15/186791_ntsport.html

[eliminator]

Good luck to him. Sad he never made it at Richmond

[gerkin greg]

"We've got a lot of depth there now with juniors like Simon Bates, Jarred Erlandson and David Kruse coming through and good players like Damien Roe joining the club."

Not for long Relts, that kid will get picked up this year's National draft.

Can't recall if he's GC bound but wouldn't mind having a look at him with a pick around 50. 190cm rebounding defender.

[Owl]

Yeah I liked Relton, had the tools, just needed some conditioning and to get his missus and nipper down here with him.

[one-eyed]

Rocket man Relton rips apart Tigers
NT News
November 1st, 2010

THERE was little to celebrate at Tigerland yesterday after a Relton Roberts-inspired Wanderers trounced Nightcliff 18.12 (120) to 9.13 (67).

In front of a parochial home crowd, former Tiger and now high-flying Eagle Thomas Motlop, spoiled the Nightcliff 60 years celebration with a ten possession first quarter to almost single handedly put paid to the Tigers' sense of history.

Motlop was well supported by John Bonson who led former AFL champion Adam Hunter a merry dance at centre half back.

In the second term, Nightcliff moved Hunter, the AFL swingman, to centre half back to good effect and with Wanderers playing fanciful football, they surged but couldn't fully capitalise because of poor finishing.

Persistence paid off for the home team and with the first two goals of the third term they hit the front.

But enter Relton Roberts. In a burst of footballing splendor, he booted three third-quarter goals, and with an additional six pointer from Thomas Motlop, Wanderers grabbed a 27-point lead at the break and extended it to 53 points by the final siren.

Motlop was full of praise for the Tigers but happy with his own game.

"They showed a lot of spirit and just kept coming at us but it was good by our boys to overcome them and get on top again," he said.

"It's good to get back to a bit of form myself. I've been a bit flat lately and it's nice to match Relton (Roberts) because we've got a bit of a competition going."

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/11/01/190881_ntsport.html

[Hes My Hero]

Pffft... Second rate footballer with potential but ultimately being too weak as a person to realise the opportunity, playing in a second rate comp.

As my 13 yo daughter would say.

Epic Fail.

Supported him when he wore the sash but now.... meh .

[Owl]

You ever had to live away from your kid?  I was in the navy for nine years, I was away from my family for a lot of the time, it gets tough on you.  After that my kid was taken up to Queensland against my wishes and it was made hard for me to see him.  Its rough on you so maybe think about your 13 year old daughter and not seeing her and then consider what Relton was going through and maybe you could see your way to some compassion rather than insulting him.

[bojangles17]

You ever had to live away from your kid?  I was in the navy for nine years, I was away from my family for a lot of the time, it gets tough on you.  After that my kid was taken up to Queensland against my wishes and it was made hard for me to see him.  Its rough on you so maybe think about your 13 year old daughter and not seeing her and then consider what Relton was going through and maybe you could see your way to some compassion rather than insulting him.

good point owl, it's easy to forget just how young these recruits are not too mention some that have baggage attached ..it's hard enough making the adjustment to elite sport never mind any other background distractions that can be overwhelming...looked to be same kinda problem that overcame RT

[jackstar is back again]

dont think Relton is as young as people think.
should never ever had been picked up in the first place by Richmond.
looked 5 months pregnent when he came down

[mightytiges]

Roberts was drafted as a 23 y.o. rookie (turned 24 in March). Like Peterson, you can't just rely on natural talent at AFL level. The commitment, dedication and willingness to do the hard yards needs to be there as well.

[TigerTimeII]

Roberts was drafted as a 23 y.o. rookie (turned 24 in March). Like Peterson, you can't just rely on natural talent at AFL level. The commitment, dedication and willingness to do the hard yards is there.

wasnt a commitment or discipline thing for relton, he was genuinely missing his family esp his little boy who were all up north

[Ox]

Roberts was drafted as a 23 y.o. rookie (turned 24 in March). Like Peterson, you can't just rely on natural talent at AFL level. The commitment, dedication and willingness to do the hard yards is there.

wasnt a commitment or discipline thing for relton, he was genuinely missing his family esp his little boy who were all up north

Fair enough but that falls under the commitment, dedication and willingness to do the hard yards is there.

Early sacrifices so your family can have a better life.

Couldn't do it.

[mightytiges]

Roberts was drafted as a 23 y.o. rookie (turned 24 in March). Like Peterson, you can't just rely on natural talent at AFL level. The commitment, dedication and willingness to do the hard yards is there.

wasnt a commitment or discipline thing for relton, he was genuinely missing his family esp his little boy who were all up north

He may have missed his family a lot but the discipline and commitment wasn't there either (eg: caught eating a burger at Coburg).