Crows defender Rory Laird predicts momentum bonanzas under new rules

Adelaide defender Rory Laird says the next frontier under the AFL’s new rules is how to stop a team with a strong momentum — and all clubs are likely to be searching for an answer.

Rory Laird competes with Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall at Port Pirie. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

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Adelaide’s dual All Australian Rory Laird has predicted dramatic momentum swings as a consequence of the league’s new rules at centre bounces, as life will become a little bit more difficult for defenders.

Laird, who won last year’s Malcolm Blight Medal as a backman, tipped the set starting positions — six in attack, six in the midfield and six in defence — would make the centre bounces a greater scoring opportunity with teams not able to have extra numbers behind the ball.

Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs and Rory Laird try to keep cool in extreme heat at Port Pirie last weekend. Picture: Sarah Reed

The Crows have already had a taste of how it might unfold, with Port Adelaide banging on five goals in a row in last weekend’s practice game at Port Pirie.

“It probably revolves more around the centre bounce — a lot of space for forwards, which is not great for backs,” Laird said. “If you lose a couple of centre bounces in a row it comes down pretty quick and there’s a lot of space for the forwards to move into.

“Once it gets into general play it’s pretty much the same; it’s probably more about the centre bounce.

“Especially if they get a clean centre bounce clearance it can be tough. But it’s what the fans want to see and the AFL wants.

“I think it poses a challenge for a lot of teams. I think there will be huge momentum swings throughout the games.

“If you’ve got six players on six there’s a lot of space and there should be a lot more scoring.”

The key will be how to work out how to stop a team that is surging with momentum.

The old-fashioned way — now outlawed — was to send extra players into the backline to stem the flow.

One option now could be to ask the wingmen — who have to start on the flank — to make a wild dash back as soon as the ball is bounced if a team is under siege.

Laird said much planning would be put into the situation between now and the start of the home-and-away season.

“That’s the thing we’ve got to talk about,” Laird said. “We sort of just got a feel for it on the weekend and once we play a few more games we’ll start to tinker with how we set up and what we do.

“I think a lot of teams will do the same thing.”

The Crows face Greater Western Sydney in Canberra on Friday night and has close to a full list to choose from, with defender Luke Brown missing the next two months to ankle surgery the obvious exception.

Full back Daniel Talia, Bryce Gibbs, David Mackay and Riley Knight will all be available for selection as will Hugh Greenwood, who has had an abdominal injury and is most likely to play in the club’s SANFL side.

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