Rory Laird and Brodie Smith struck up the ultimate footy bromance during their 13 years as Crows teammates - but contrary to what many people may think, they didn’t hit it off right away.

It was only when Laird cemented himself into the team, coupled with a trip to the USA that changed everything.

“I got to the Club at the end of 2011 in the pre-season, Brodie had already played a season, and I don’t reckon we spoke too much in the first six months,” Laird said.

“He didn’t really give me too much to be honest, but then once I started playing a bit more consistently, we spent a bit more time together, especially throughout the 2014 season and in 2015, that’s when we sort of hit our straps.

“I think it was a bit of a natural connection and friendship, and we are alike in a lot of areas, so we got to know each other pretty quickly.

“We went away to America together that year and spent three weeks together and it blossomed from there.”

From the following season, the pair forged a strong bond and became a dynamic duo in Adelaide’s backline. 

Last week, however, that long-standing partnership at the Crows came to an end when Smith called time on his AFL career, retiring after 15 seasons and 273 games.

For Laird, Smith’s decision to hang up the boots has been a tough pill to swallow, saying he’ll miss the banter and the advice he gave.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet to be honest, that he won’t be there on day one of pre-season,” Laird said.

“More so just for bouncing ideas off each other, just conversations about footy throughout the year, how we are going and what we are seeing, so it’s going to be a little bit different.

“He told me and another good mate the night before when he had finally made his decision and I was obviously disappointed, I thought he could potentially go again, playing the same role.

“But I know he is excited for the next part of his life and I think he’s really content with his career and ready to finish up.”

And when Laird looks back on Smith’s career, there’s one thing he’ll miss most about sharing the field with his best mate.

“The thing we’ll miss with Brodie is him kicking those long-range goals - the running, bouncing off half-back and just how dangerous he was,” Laird said.

“He was one of the premier half-backs in the League.

“I’m so lucky I got to see it up close, and I’d just give him the handball and let him do the rest.”

Off the field, Smith’s care and selflessness is the legacy he will leave behind, according to Laird.

And those traits were at the forefront of Smith’s final year at the Crows, with the 33-year-old taking the time to help develop the younger players while featuring heavily for the Club’s SANFL side.

“It’s the care and compassion he has for his mates, and how much he wants them to succeed that he should also be remembered for,” Laird said.

“He was always really engaged and passionate about the SANFL and his role, and more so helping the younger guys as well.

“The whole time he’s really bought into the team, and how he could help the Club and everything was for the Crows. He was a super passionate AFC boy.

“Then for him to go out on a high playing in the finals and play some really good footy is a positive way to look at it.”

Although they won’t be donning a Crows guernsey together anymore, Laird said their friendship would continue, long after footy.

“I am super proud of his career, more so proud of our friendship that we have off the field,” Laird said.

“Some things in life are bigger than footy and I know we’ll have a friendship that will continue on post-footy.

“It’s been built off footy but how it’s blossomed into something more than that is pretty special.

“He was an unbelievable player, but I know he’s super excited for this next phase in his life.”