Pretty sure that was a tongue in cheek comment.
Player Watch Rory Laird
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Pretty sure that was a tongue in cheek comment.
- Aug 29, 2013
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Has been a great player for us but time to move on from him being our prime midfielder.
I think he can still be a good lockdown defender though. One thing is for sure and that is he is NOT a forward. He was in the front 6 at the centre bounces a number of times on Friday. He's not creative enough or skilful to be a forward half player.
I think he can still be a good lockdown defender though. One thing is for sure and that is he is NOT a forward. He was in the front 6 at the centre bounces a number of times on Friday. He's not creative enough or skilful to be a forward half player.
My bad if it is. I thought the op had defended him previously but may have him mixed up with another. Apologies if that’s the case.
There is room for one of Laird/Crouch in there. The problem is Crouch can’t play anywhere else. Both are one touch - we saw how much we fumbled without them.
I’d move Laird on to a wing. He’s a ball magnet wherever he goes. Our current wings are hopeless. I’d persist with Cook for another couple of games. Jones and Nankervis are back pockets at best.
I’d move Laird on to a wing. He’s a ball magnet wherever he goes. Our current wings are hopeless. I’d persist with Cook for another couple of games. Jones and Nankervis are back pockets at best.
I just don't think Laird can be damaging anywhere other than the midfield at this stage in his career, and the emergence of Crouch has left him without a clear role. Honestly it's not even close, Crouch is miles ahead. Berry's injury will give him some more time, but I think he'll be dropped at some stage this year.
Absolute best I can imagine would be a passable half-back without defensive duties who rotates into the midfield for around half the stoppages or so, and as the extra midfielder we employ when it's not a CBA situation. But for that role, why not play Berry? He's still a capable stoppage mid but I don't think he's going to be a good full-time defender and he's obviously not an outside player.
Absolute best I can imagine would be a passable half-back without defensive duties who rotates into the midfield for around half the stoppages or so, and as the extra midfielder we employ when it's not a CBA situation. But for that role, why not play Berry? He's still a capable stoppage mid but I don't think he's going to be a good full-time defender and he's obviously not an outside player.
Southerntakeover
Too Sweet
We should totally put one of the worst ball users in the history of the AFL into a ball using position.
Laird would be a terrible wing, no better than Matt Crouch when we idiotically played him there.
- Dec 29, 2000
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Well I reckon he is slightly pissed off that he has zero chance of winning a 4th B & F, which would be a club record.
In saying that, comparisons to Roo, McLeod and Goodwin - they were genuine champions in the golden years of the club - 1997 - 2008.
Unfortunately, Laird has won them when we have been crap, 2018 - 2024.
In saying that, comparisons to Roo, McLeod and Goodwin - they were genuine champions in the golden years of the club - 1997 - 2008.
Unfortunately, Laird has won them when we have been crap, 2018 - 2024.
- Aug 6, 2021
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What if we put him into the “space keeper” role Ned wants to claim he’s playing. Having someone who can actually find the footy, not get rag dolled, land tackles and be clean in contests would be a massive upgrade.
Shameful post, he deserves some respect for what hes done in the past.
Laird's been a champion of the club, been one of the most consistent players in the past decade. 2xAA and was very close to a 3rd 2 years ago.
He's 30 now and players have gone passed him as he's regressed. His time in the midfield is mostly up but he doesn't deserve to be discredited like this.
Pugsley
TheBrownDog
Needs to be moved to a flank but Nicksy won't do that because he has loved him since Scotch College 1st 18.
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He won both AA’s as a half back flanker not as a midfielder.
He may have been one of our most consistent but I have news for you, we have been crap the past 7 years compared to our golden period.
He can’t and has never been able to deliver lace out passes to forwards and he loves the old one/two (accumulator) and has reportedly taken out a couple of helicopters over time.
As you can tell, he has never been one of my favourites and I make no apology for that but if he was a leader he will take himself out of the midfield and let the likes of Soligo, Rankine takeover.
Harris1991
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- Apr 6, 2024
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I was being sarcastic. When one of your primary midfielders delivers the ball like he does your forwards will always struggle.
Can you just clarify what you mean as a golden period? I’m struggling to remember.
HBF or HFF but not centre, Crouch is far more effective.
I would be sending him to sanfl but they never will, same with Smith
After last week, he should be 1st one considered for being left out of the side along with McHenry, those 2 destroy momentum
I would be sending him to sanfl but they never will, same with Smith
After last week, he should be 1st one considered for being left out of the side along with McHenry, those 2 destroy momentum
- Dec 29, 2000
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1997 - 2008.
Harris1991
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Agree. If your choice is between Laird and Crouch in the midfield you choose Crouch.
Given we are in such a deep rebuild we don't have the luxury of moving him to the back pocket or half back as we should be blooding youngsters in these positions.
jackster83
The leader of the bunch.
Needs to be told his time as a midfielder is done.
He did an admirable job for several years while we had an SANFL quality midfield but his time is up.
If he doesn't like it, he's welcome to seek a trade. North Melbourne could use a senior head.
He did an admirable job for several years while we had an SANFL quality midfield but his time is up.
If he doesn't like it, he's welcome to seek a trade. North Melbourne could use a senior head.
- Dec 29, 2000
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.Tell him if he doesn’t like it and doesn’t want a trade, he will spend the next two years in the SANFL.
He served as well when we were crap but he isn’t an A or B grader on his current output.
With Rankine injured Laird isn't going anywhere for a few weeks, but I'd like to see them re-shuffle the midfield mix to exclude Laird before the end of the season. Crouch/Soligo as the inside guys, Rankine/Dawson on the outside, and there's a couple of others who could come in and contribute if they need a 5th option (Schoenberg the obvious one).
Rankine and Soligo have both won themselves ongoing midfield roles this season and Dawson and Crouch did it last year and we've got no reason to move away from them. Laird is the casualty there the same way Crouch was when he was struggling a couple of years ago, and should be in the SANFL.
Rankine and Soligo have both won themselves ongoing midfield roles this season and Dawson and Crouch did it last year and we've got no reason to move away from them. Laird is the casualty there the same way Crouch was when he was struggling a couple of years ago, and should be in the SANFL.
GreyCrow
Make me an Admin!
- Mar 21, 2016
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If you stop the replay at the right time you can see Rory flick a rubber band at Izaks leg
- Jun 23, 2016
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Rory wouldn't do a hamstring because he rarely moves faster than a jog.
