Tough utility Rory Laird says he’s happy to fill in the gaps in the Crows team this season.

Laird, 21, established himself in the Adelaide side as a defender in 2013, playing 18 games against some of the best small forwards in the League.

Adelaide’s abundance of small defenders including Luke Brown and Matthew Jaensch, who enjoyed a career-best season, saw Laird shifted up the ground in 2014. The 178cm, 77kg, former rookie played as a small forward, midfielder and even as a tagger, entrusted with shutting down the likes of North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey.

Laird expects to settle back in defence under new coach Phil Walsh, but hopes his versatility will be an advantage for both him and the team in 2015.

“I think it’ll be the backline (where I play predominantly). I think I play my best footy down back, but I’ll play wherever ‘Walshy’ needs me,” Laird said.

“I think (playing different roles last year) helped broaden my game in some ways. It was just my role within the team and if it changes each week again this year, it changes.

“I’m just happy to do what the coach asks. It’s all about team success and winning games of footy.”

Laird lined up in defence in Adelaide’s opening NAB Challenge game against North Melbourne.

The composed Crow was happy to be part of the Club’s first hit-out after pre-season injuries caused him to miss the opening two AFL matches last season.

“I missed a bit of last summer with some injuries through my back and hamstring,” he said.

“I think that hurt me in the long run with my overall fitness and consistency in my football. I had a few hiccups and was pushed out of the team late (in the season). I’ve had a full pre-season this summer and I think that’ll put me in good stead for a consistent year.

“I’m looking to build that consistency in my game, but really just to play my role in the team.”

The Crows will continue their preparations for the season proper against Geelong on Thursday night.
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It will be Laird’s first visit to Simonds Stadium since he represented South Australia at the Under-18 National Championships in his draft year.

Laird said the match against a near-full strength Cats team would be another good test of Adelaide’s game style under Walsh.

“It’s always a tough ask to play Geelong away. The Cats are a quality side and it’s an experienced side they’ve put in this week as well,” Laird said.

“We’re just going to go there and play our game style. Hopefully, it holds up against them. I think it will because we’re very confident in how we play. We’re still getting used to it (Walsh’s game style) in ways, but for the most part we’ve picked it up pretty quickly.

“We started with it last weekend, and hopefully we can further develop it tomorrow night.”

Adelaide has also named a strong squad of 29, which will be trimmed to 26 before the game.

Walsh has already declared that spots in the team for Round One are up for grabs in the next two pre-season matches. Laird said there was strong “internal competition” at West Lakes.

“It’s all about how you’ve trained over the summer and how you play in the NAB Challenge games. There’s a healthy competition for spots, which is a good thing … because it means you’ll have a strong side out there on the park,” he said.

“If you’re playing game day and can execute what we want, you’ll be rewarded for it. Walshy is pretty clear on what he wants from the team and each individual and that’s what he’ll reward.”