It’s an exciting time for the Crows as the Club’s contingent of promising young players continue to rise through the ranks, with the hope of breaking into the senior team.

One such aspiring player is Rory Laird, who was picked up by Adelaide with its first pick in the 2011 Rookie Draft. He qualified for the draft by only two days, and this motivated young player has made the most of his opportunity.

Laird trains hard at West Lakes during the week focusing on developing his body and honing his skills against bigger and more experienced players. Standing at just 175cm tall, he knows he’ll have to be physically strong to contest against much taller players in the AFL.

Laird plays with SANFL club West Adelaide and on par with his goals for the season has been performing superbly in the league team.

The nuggety back-pocket made his senior debut against North Adelaide in round four and had an immediate impact, winning the Powerade Star Search award for the best young SANFL player of the week.

“Running out onto the oval in my first SANFL league game … it was the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of,” Laird told afc.com.au.

“Turning around and seeing all those people it was pretty full on, but it didn’t affect me too much once we started playing and I concentrated on the game.”

Laird has held his spot in the senior team and maintained good form, gathering plenty of the ball in the midfield as the Bloods have tallied substantial wins to sit in second place on the ladder.

As a rookie, Laird is ineligible for AFL selection unless he’s promoted to the senior list.

After selecting Ian Callinan as their ‘nominated’ rookie for 2012, the Crows are unable to elevate another rookie until after round 11 unless a player is placed on the long-term injury list prior.

Laird speaks highly of his experiences at West Lakes thus far.

“It’s been a pretty easy transition because I’m from Adelaide, so I got to stay with my family, and the guys out here have been really nice,” he said.

“I knew some of them from state Under-18s last year, so it was good to have some familiar faces around the place initially.”

He compares this experience with his time training at Essendon prior to the draft.

“I didn’t know my way around, so I had to rely on people over there. I appreciate the ability to be more independent in that regard here.”

Adelaide development coaches Peter Jonas and Tate Kaesler have made a good impression on the hard-working defender.

“They help me out with the areas I need to improve on and also meet up for game reviews. They’re pretty heavily involved with us young boys which has been great.”

Despite a busy schedule focused around the Crows and playing at Westies, Laird uses his down time to catch up with friends and relax away from the footy field. He concedes he is the football representative of his family.

“My Dad used to play but he was no good,” he said with a laugh.

His teasing is rectified as Rory emphasises the supportive role his parents have had played in his football career, as well as his high school Scotch College, in giving him the ability to pursue the sport he loves.

While none of his younger siblings play football, he’s sure to be a good role model and sporting advocate for them in years to come. 

He is also interested in eventually pursuing university and, although, isn’t entirely certain of his specific interests him in this regard would perhaps like to get into something involving property.

Laird has been enjoying all aspects of joining the Crows, from the training and development sessions to the camaraderie between the players, which always provides for good times with such a mix of characters.

“Mitch Grigg and Dylan Orval are always in front of the mirror,” he said.

As well as many football successes, including two goals and 24 possessions for West Adelaide last weekend, Rory confesses he has had his low on-field moments also.

“I got tackled when playing footy in a school game, and the other guys ripped my pants down, and they were around my ankles right in front of the crowd. That wasn’t too good.”

Aside from a sense of humour and dedication to the game, Laird has an exciting football journey ahead of him as he aims for a strong season and a long future at the Crows.