Roy Laird to coach Central District for 17th successive season at the kennel
WAS there any surprise with Central District coach Roy Laird’s decision on his future after the second longest stint in SANFL history?
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CENTRAL District coach Roy Laird is confident his message still has impact after confirming he would be in charge for an incredible 17th successive season next year.
The future of the seven-times premiership coach at the Bulldogs had been questioned after finishing eighth on the ladder this year with seven wins.
But he never seriously considered walking away from the job he has had since replacing highly successful Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson in 2003 while his passion remained intact.
“The longer you coach a club like this, where you have been involved as a supporter and player, the more you learn to appreciate everyone’s involvement,” Laird said.
“Everyone has a job and mine is to get the best out of myself to hopefully assist players in playing their best footy.
“I’m still really keen and I’m confident the club can bounce back with the right preparation. We were disappointed the way we finished, but I still have optimism with this group.
“A number of the players have played between 20 and 50 games now and have the ideal experience to kick on. We are expecting a lot from those.”
Laird has the second longest uninterrupted coaching stint in SANFL history behind legend Jack Oatey, who was with Sturt from 1962 to 82.
Following Michael Godden’s decision to stand down as Woodville-West Torrens coach after nine seasons to take on an assistant’s role with Adelaide, North Adelaide hero Josh Carr’s three years is the longest current term behind Laird.
Sturt, Adelaide and the Eagles have changed coaches this season with the Double Blues appointing Nathan Grima, who played under Laird in the Bulldogs’ 2007 premiership.
Laird said the end of season review with the players had been highly productive, while the club was heavily active in recruiting.
“We need to bring some new blood into the group and have been talking to a few players,” he said. “We need to look at all areas to explore the good and bad, as every club does every year.
“I spoke with the playing group as to what they see as some things which worked for us and what didn’t. We will take that all on board.”
Laird said there was a fine line in the SANFL with the commitment to football as well as work for the players.
“We have got to have a good, simple gameplan to allow the players the freedom to express and enjoy themselves in what is becoming a pressure field lifestyle for many these days,” he said.