King of the north proves one champion Dog
After nine SANFL premierships with Central District and seven of those flags under outgoing coach Roy Laird, Chris and James Gowans recount some favourite memories of the retiring coach.
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Chris and James Gowans, often put up as the poster boys behind Central District’s playing success, have no doubt where Roy Laird sits in the club’s history.
“Roy was the greatest coach I had, simple,’’ said James.
“He was right up there with (Alastair) Clarkson and Clarko turned out to be one of the greatest in the AFL.
“In the early days when we arrived at the club me and Chris used to go out with Lairdy for meals and stuff as a mate when he was an assistant coach.
“He was one of our mates and even when he was (senior) coach he never stopped being our mate.’’
Chris backed up James’ assessment of his former coach.
“Yep, definitely the best I had too,’’ Chris said.
“Tactically he was very good and he just got the best out of me and James and plenty of other players.
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“He often downplayed it but he was an excellent players’ man.
“He learned a lot from Clarko but when Clarko left fairly suddenly (to go to Port Adelaide in the AFL) Lairdy had to step up quickly after he had been coaching the reserves.’’
Public perception sometimes paints Laird as something of a stern, steely-focused individual.
But Chris knocked that idea out of the park.
“He’s the funniest man I have ever met,’’ Chris said.
“We, as players, got to see behind the mask.
“He is the exact opposite of what people may think of him. He does open up a bit when he’s comfortable.
“Roy’s legacy will be that he helped turned the image of the north around as winners.
“We had that intimidation factor and when people played us they expected a hard game.
“Even now when we struggle we are respected.
“No-one coaches like Roy.’’
The respect for Laird is also evident in the wider community, particularly at Playford Council.
Mayor Glenn Docherty said Roy Laird was a leader and a significant ambassador for the community — a big transition for a man who was much more comfortable shunning the limelight.
“As a footballer, Roy was the true definition of a hard-working, direct at the ball and well-prepared team player,” Mr Docherty said last week.
“Those traits have made him the successful coach we see today.
“Roy’s presence as a sporting leader will be missed by our community.
“But we know that through his professional and personal interests he will continue to be a strong and passionate advocate for Elizabeth and the wider community.”