Rory Laird

Laird grew up in the suburb of Eden Hills, South Australia.[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51e0a7dae4b09140da99c53c/t/58e2ecedc534a5e9807075b8/1491266858875/270+-+April+17.pdf The Blackwood Times], April 2017, p. 1. He attended Colonel Light Gardens Primary School{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/53203/recruiting-files-laird|title=Recruiting Files: Laird|first=Katrina|last=Gill|date=10 November 2016|website=afc.com.au|access-date=30 March 2025}} and Scotch College, Adelaide in his teenage years,{{cite web | last=Gill | first=Katrina | title=Recruiting Files: Laird | website=afc.com.au | date=November 10, 2016 | url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2016-11-10/recruiting-files-laird | access-date=August 31, 2018}}{{cite web | last=Porter | first=Ashley | title=Rory Laird, the rising Adelaide Crow who was nearly an Essendon Bomber | website=The Age | date=April 13, 2017 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/rory-laird-the-rising-adelaide-crow-who-was-nearly-an-essendon-bomber-20170413-gvk0p6.html | access-date=August 31, 2018}}{{cite web | last=Holderhead | first=Sheradyn | title=Scotch siblings make a neat double | website=Adelaide Now | date=January 28, 2011 | url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/scotch-siblings-make-it-a-double/news-story/76e2160103fcb34154fbd4127e727d3e | access-date=August 31, 2018}}{{cite web | last=Capel | first=Andrew | title=Laird lets footy to the talking | website=Herald Sun | date=July 19, 2013 | url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-crows-defender-rory-laird-lets-his-footy-to-the-talking/news-story/a46aaf594ac269410936000214a54b76 | access-date=August 31, 2018}}{{cite web | last=Walsh | first=Scott | title=Laird stumped by Crow wobbles | website=NewsComAu | date=May 28, 2014 | url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/defender-rory-laird-stumped-by-crows-inconsistent-season/news-story/4f1dcb55ed7526462dc1af6d78e3f8d5 | access-date=August 31, 2018}} where he was coached by Brownlow Medalist Gavin Wanganeen and future Crows coach Matthew Nicks.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/305909/rory-lairds-past-connection-to-new-crows-coach-matthew-nicks|title=Rory Laird's past connection to new Crows coach Matthew Nicks|date=17 October 2019|first=Emmalie|last=Balnaves-Gale|access-date=30 March 2025|website=afc.com.au}}

Laird played soccer until making the switch to Australian rules football at age 10. Only two years later, he was invited to join the West Adelaide Football Club's junior program.

Laird played club football for the Kenilworth Football Club in the South Australian Amateur Football League as well as playing for West Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) reserves. In the lead up to the AFL drafts in 2011, Laird was interviewed by {{AFL Ade}} and trained with {{AFL Ess}} in Melbourne, Victoria. After missing out on the 2011 AFL national draft, he was drafted by the Adelaide Crows with pick 5 of the rookie draft a few weeks later.

In his first season in the AFL, Laird did not play for Adelaide. He played 18 consecutive games for {{SANFL WestA}} in the SANFL, including three finals, but was dropped from the team that played in the 2012 SANFL Grand Final.{{cite news|last=Capel|first=Andrew|date=18 July 2013|title=Grand final omission helped fuel resolve for Rory Laird|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/grand-final-omission-helped-fuel-resolve-for-rory-laird/story-fnia3gmj-1226681642345|newspaper=The Advertiser}}

The Crows elevated Laird to the senior list as a replacement for the injured and out of form Sam Shaw in April 2013, and he made his AFL debut against the {{AFL WB}} in round 4 of the season helping them to an easy victory {{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2013-04-19/laird-to-debut-against-dogs|title=Laird to debut against Dogs|last1=Gill|first1=Katrina|date=19 April 2013|website=AFC.com.au|publisher=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=28 July 2013}} He immediately became a regular in the side, missing only one further game in the season through injury, and averaging 18.5 disposals per game as a small defender.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/player-profile/Rory-Laird|title=Rory Laird – AFC.com.au|website=AFC.com.au|publisher=Adelaide Football Club}} Laird received the Round 20 nomination for the 2013 AFL Rising Star award, following a 24-possession game against {{AFL NM}}, and signed a two-year contract with the club in the same week.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-08-13/young-crows-smooth-transition|title=Young Crow's smooth transition|last1=Thring|first1=Harry|date=13 August 2013|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|access-date=13 August 2013}} Laird played 16 games in 2014 despite injury issues, playing in defence and occasionally in the midfield. He was dropped to the SANFL late in the season but responded with a 42-possession game to earn a recall.

Laird had a breakout year in 2015, playing every game and averaging 24.4 disposals in defence while blanketing his opponents, which earned him a place on the 40-man shortlist for the All-Australian team. During the year, he signed a three-year contract extension with the club.{{cite news|last=Homfray|first=Reece|date=22 June 2015|title=Rory Laird re-signs with Adelaide until the end of the 2018 season|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/teams/adelaide/rory-laird-resigns-with-adelaide-until-the-end-of-the-2018-season/news-story/17536b9a02ce7ec016aacb86aa1499a1|newspaper=The Advertiser}} In 2016, he was named in the 40-man All-Australian squad but did not make the team. He improved even more on his form in 2017, starting the season with a 40-possession game against {{AFL GWS}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-26/five-talking-points-adelaide-v-greater-western-sydney|title=Five talking points: Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney|last=Gaskin|first=Lee|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|date=26 March 2017|access-date=1 September 2017}} His form continued to stay at an elite level throughout the season, including a 34-possession game against {{AFL StK}} in Round 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2017/12/adel-v-stk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314023117/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2017/12/adel-v-stk|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2017|title=Match report: Ruthless Crows crush Saints|last=Gaskin|first=Lee|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|date=9 June 2017|access-date=5 September 2017}} His consistency was rewarded with both an All-Australian selection and being nominated by his team for the AFL Players' Association MVP Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2017-09-08/aflpa-mvp-nominees-announced|title=AFLPA MVP nominees announced|last=McNicholas|first=Aiden|website=afc.com.au|publisher=Adelaide Football Club|date=8 September 2017|access-date=11 September 2017}}

In 2018, Laird won the Malcolm Blight Medal as the Crows' best and fairest player.Fjeldstad, Jesper, "[https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/allaustralian-defender-rory-laird-takes-out-first-malcolm-blight-medal-in-a-canter/news-story/329c1bcc28cf19b6973176733dc93b08 All-Australian defender Rory Laird takes out first Malcolm Blight Medal in a canter.]", The Advertiser, August 31, 2018. He was also selected in the All-Australian team for the second season in a row.Turner, Kieron, "[http://www.afc.com.au/news/2018-08-29/laird-all-australian Rory Laird earns All Australian honours]", afc.com.au, August 29, 2018.

Following a move to the midfield in 2020 and a second-place finish in the Malcolm Blight medal, Laird signed a five-year contract extension with the Crows in March 2021."[https://www.afc.com.au/news/872853 Laird Signs On]", Adelaide Football Club, Mar 4, 2021. He continued his success in his new position, winning back-to-back Malcolm Blight Medals in 2021 and 2022. A highlight of his 2022 campaign came against {{AFL Col}} as he broke the AFL's record for tackles in a single game, collecting 20.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/802990/best-of-the-best-the-afl-all-time-stats-records-that-will-blow-your-mind|title=Best of the best: The AFL all-time records that will blow your mind|first=Michael|last=Whiting|date=22 July 2022|website=afl.com.au}} Laird starred in his 200th game against {{AFL WCE}} in round 22 as he collected 36 disposals and kicked 2 goals in the victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1192922/match-report-crows-fly-over-eagles-in-lairs-milestone-match|title=Match report: Crows fly over Eagles in Laird's milestone match|date=7 August 2022|first=Nathan|last=Schmook|website=afc.com.au}}

Laird had another successful year in 2023 as he was again the runner-up in the Malcolm Blight Medal. In Gather Round against {{AFL Car}}, Laird had 37 disposals, nine clearances and a goal, ultimately being awarded with three Brownlow votes for his performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1740589/from-a-prelim-final-milestone-to-breaking-an-afl-record-relive-10-of-lairds-best-games|title=From a Prelim Final milestone to breaking an AFL record: Relive 10 of Laird’s best games|first=David|last=Burtenshaw|date=26 March 2025|website=afc.com.au}} He finished the year with a career-best 20 Brownlow votes.

To begin the 2025 season, Laird returned to the backline. He starred with 32 disposals off of half-back in his 250th game against {{AFL NM}}.{{cite web|title=Crows roll on with clinical win over improved Roos|first=Sophie|last=Welsh|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1289906/crows-roll-on-with-clinical-win-over-improved-roos|date=30 March 2025|location=Adelaide Oval|website=afl.com.au}} During the same game, Laird also broke the record for the most disposals by a Crow, overtaking Scott Thompson's 6,752 disposals.{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/teams/adelaide.html|title=Player Statistics - Adelaide Player Totals|work=AFL Tables|access-date=31 March 2025}}

: Statistics are correct to end of Round 23 2024{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/R/Rory_Laird.html|title=AFL Tables – Rory Laird statistics|website=AFL Tables}}

{{AFL player statistics legend|s=y}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

| 2012

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 46 || 0 || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || –

|-

| 2013

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 46 || 18 || 1 || 2 || 180 || 153 || 333 || 74 || 51 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 10.0 || 8.5 || 18.5 || 4.1 || 2.8 || 0

|-

| 2014

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 16 || 2 || 2 || 126 || 129 || 255 || 65 || 37 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 7.9 || 8.1 || 15.9 || 4.1 || 2.3 || 0

|-

| 2015

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 23 || 2 || 4 || 289 || 273 || 562 || 133 || 58 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 12.6 || 11.9 || 24.4 || 5.8 || 2.5 || 2

|-

| 2016

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 19 || 1 || 1 || 251 || 270 || 521 || 127 || 40 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 13.2 || 14.2 || 27.4 || 6.7 || 2.1 || 11

|-

| 2017

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 25 || 3 || 1 || 367 || 369 || 736 || 143 || 55 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 14.7 || 14.8 || 29.4 || 5.7 || 2.2 || 9

|-

| 2018

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 20 || 3 || 4 || 319 || 325 || 644 || 124 || 43 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 16.0 || 16.3 || 32.2 || 6.2 || 2.2 || 19

|-

| 2019

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 22 || 0 || 1 || 322 || 301 || 623 || 125 || 47 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 14.6 || 13.7 || 28.3 || 5.7 || 2.1 || 2

|-

| scope=row | 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}} || {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 17 || 3 || 1 || 186 || 203 || 389 || 46 || 70 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 10.9 || 11.9 || 22.9 || 2.7 || 4.1 || 4

|-

| 2021

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 22 || 3 || 8 || 314 || 390 || 704 || 82 || 130 || 0.1 || 0.4 || 14.3 || 17.8 || 32.0 || 3.7 || 5.9 || 16

|-

| 2022

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 20 || 7 || 8 || 284 || 375 || 659 || 53 || 162 || 0.3 || 0.4 || 14.2 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 18.8^† || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 33.0^† || 2.6 || 8.1 || 10

|-

| 2023

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 22 || 3 || 10 || 262 || 375 || 637 || 67 || 175 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 11.9 || 17.0 || 28.9 || 3.0 || 7.9 || 20

|-

| 2024

| {{AFL Ade}}

| 29 || 23 || 2 || 5 || 271 || 364 || 635 || 83 || 132 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 11.8 || 15.8 || 27.6 || 3.6 || 5.7 || 7

|-

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 247

! 30

! 47

! 3171

! 3527

! 6698

! 1122

! 1000

! 0.1

! 0.1

! 12.8

! 14.3

! 27.1

! 4.5

! 4.0

! 73

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

Growing up in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, Laird shared a close bond with younger sister Mia. Laird's nephew and Mia's son Joel joined Laird as he ran out for his 250th AFL game in 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1740837/s|first=Daniela|last=Harvey|title=Laird's 250: Work ethic, determination and family|date=27 March 2025|website=afc.com.au}}

Laird is currently engaged to fiancé Ellie. The couple announced their engagement in October 2024.{{cite web|title=Laird announces engagement|website=afc.com.au|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1682467/laird-announces-engagement|date=21 October 2024|access-date=31 March 2025}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Adelplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables|ref=R/Rory_Laird.html}}

{{Adelaide player squad}}

{{Malcolm Blight Medal}}

{{2017 All-Australian team}}

{{2018 All-Australian team}}

{{2017 Australian international rules team}}

{{2020 All Stars players}}

{{2013 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{2012 AFL rookie draft}}

{{2013 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Laird, Rory}}

Category:Living people

Category:1993 births

Category:Adelaide Football Club players

Category:West Adelaide Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from South Australia

Category:Adelaide Football Club (SANFL) players

Category:All-Australians (AFL)

Category:Australia international rules football team players

Category:Malcolm Blight Medal winners

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen