1. Rory Laird was born on 29 December 1993 and is a professional Australian rules football player who plays for the Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League.
21 Facts About Rory Laird
1. 2.
Rory Laird was drafted by Adelaide with pick 5 in the 2012 Rookie Draft.
3.
Rory Laird attended Colonel Light Gardens Primary School and Scotch College, Adelaide in his teenage years, where he was coached by Brownlow Medalist Gavin Wanganeen and future Crows coach Matthew Nicks.
4.
Rory Laird played soccer until making the switch to Australian rules football at age 10.
5.
Rory 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 reserves.
6.
Rory Laird played 18 consecutive games for West Adelaide in the SANFL, including three finals, but was dropped from the team that played in the 2012 SANFL Grand Final.
7.
Rory Laird received the Round 20 nomination for the 2013 AFL Rising Star award, following a 24-possession game against North Melbourne, and signed a two-year contract with the club in the same week.
8.
Rory Laird played 16 games in 2014 despite injury issues, playing in defence and occasionally in the midfield.
9.
Rory Laird was dropped to the SANFL late in the season but responded with a 42-possession game to earn a recall.
10.
Rory 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.
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Rory Laird improved even more on his form in 2017, starting the season with a 40-possession game against Greater Western Sydney.
12.
Rory Laird's form continued to stay at an elite level throughout the season, including a 34-possession game against St Kilda in Round 12.
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Rory Laird's consistency was rewarded with both an All-Australian selection and being nominated by his team for the AFL Players' Association MVP Award.
14.
In 2018, Rory Laird won the Malcolm Blight Medal as the Crows' best and fairest player.
15.
Rory Laird was selected in the All-Australian team for the second season in a row.
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Rory Laird continued his success in his new position, winning back-to-back Malcolm Blight Medals in 2021 and 2022.
17.
Rory Laird starred in his 200th game against West Coast in round 22 as he collected 36 disposals and kicked 2 goals in the victory.
18.
Rory Laird had another successful year in 2023 as he was again the runner-up in the Malcolm Blight Medal.
19.
In Gather Round against Carlton, Rory Laird had 37 disposals, nine clearances and a goal, ultimately being awarded with three Brownlow votes for his performance.
20.
Rory Laird finished the year with a career-best 20 Brownlow votes.
21.
Rory Laird starred with 32 disposals off of half-back in his 250th game against North Melbourne.