Grand final omission helped fuel resolve for Rory Laird

THEY are the words that every footballer preparing for a grand final dreads - "I'm sorry, but you won't be playing".

THEY are the words that every footballer preparing for a grand final dreads - "I'm sorry, but you won't be playing".

Derek Kickett dramatically quit Essendon after being told he had been dropped for the 1993 AFL premiership decider against Carlton.

And while West Adelaide coach Andrew Collins hated delivering the words to Rory Laird before last year's SANFL grand final against Norwood, he says Laird's reaction - after he had played 18 consecutive matches - said a lot about his make-up.

"We took him out of the grand final side really out of respect for the older players, that we played those players in that team," Collins said.

"Rory was such an instrumental part of our side and while the decision must have hurt him enormously the grace with which he took it was first class.

"It was really awkward for me but he understood exactly where I was coming from and he was really polite and gracious.

"He really respected the decision, even though you could argue he was quite clearly in our best 21.

"For him to act the way he did said a lot about his character."

Having already dealt with the disappointment of being overlooked at the national draft a year earlier, Laird found it tough when he was called into a meeting room at Richmond Oval and told the news by Collins in front of the leadership group, which included Ryan Ferguson, Chris Schmidt and Nat Caruso.

"I'd played in our three finals and really wanted to play in the grand final and try to win it with a group of guys I'd become close to," Laird recalled.

"So obviously I was very disappointed but I understood where Collo was coming from.

"He said he was rewarding some of the older guys, that he needed to pay respect to the players who had been on the journey, to give them a shot at winning a premiership.

"As disappointed as I was, I respected that."

Laird was the only player dropped from West's winning preliminary final side.

He was replaced by the experienced Ben Fisher, who had recovered from injury.

Laird showed his support to his teammates, who succumbed to the Redlegs by 49 points, by sitting alongside Collins in the coaches box "and cheering them on".

He used his omission as motivation to get better.

"It was just another setback and it made me even hungrier to succeed," said Laird, who made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs in round four.

"I just decided to come back this year, get better and make sure I play every league game for Westies, instead of missing out on one.

"I took it as just another setback, like missing out at the national draft, and realised it was all a matter of how you come back from these things in footy because everyone's career is not a straight line.

"Everyone has bumps here and there, so I just concentrated on trying to make myself a better footballer."

That included improving his fitness and kicking power.

Now Laird wants a senior list spot with the Crows.

"That's certainly a goal of mine," he said.

Judging by his form this year, there is nothing more certain.