Adelaide best and fairest winner Rory Laird says the players will emerge stronger from a disappointing year

THE season was another highlight for All Australian Rory Laird, difficult for the club, but the Malcolm Blight Medallist can see blue skies ahead for the Adelaide Crows.

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ADELAIDE club champion Rory Laird is confident the annus horribilis of 2018 will make the Crows stronger and better as they seek to return for a tilt at next year’s AFL finals.

The club has commissioned an external review of what went wrong at West Lakes this season, beginning with the grand final loss, continuing with the contentious pre-season camp and the spate of hamstring injuries.

Malcolm Blight Medal winner Rory Laird with partner Lucy McArthur at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Picture: Tom Huntley

But Laird said the players had now put the year behind them, having completed their exit interviews and taking off on holidays.

And he said as difficult as the season had been, it would serve as a platform for improvement next season.

“We’ve blooded a few young fellas who have come in and played some crucial roles for us,” Laird said. “We weren’t too far of a few really good teams and we beat Richmond earlier in the year, Sydney in Sydney.

“It was a year of ‘almosts’ and in the end we fell just short.”

The Gold Jacket is a snug fit! #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/K6D7fjcM8M

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) August 31, 2018

The Crows were hurt this season by the loss of attacking All Australian defender Brodie Smith, who spent the majority of the year recovering from a knee reconstruction.

But his absence, too, had brought a silver lining.

It had forced Laird to play a slightly different role — higher and occasionally through the midfield — and also allowed younger players time to get used to the highest level.

“Just the role that I play … Don (senior coach Don Pyke) and ‘Campo’ (midfield coach Scott Camporeale) give me a fair bit of free rein up on the ground.

Rory Laird of the Crows kicks while being tackled by Callum Moore of the Tigers in round 16. Picture: Getty Images

“It allows me to run around, kick the ball and find the ball and get us going out of the back half.

“Tommy Doedee comes back there too and played an unbelievable year.

“Wayne (Milera) is a serious attacking option and the back half of his year was exceptional.

“I think it’a really balanced backline and it will be a hard one to come up against.”

Laird rated his first Malcolm Blight Medal differently to his consecutive All Australian selections.

They were all significant honours, but the winning the club best and fairest stood out in that it felt like he was repaying those who first took a punt on him becoming an AFL player.

“There is a different sense to it,” Laird said. “Adelaide gave me my opportunity in the AFL and both ways I can help repay the faith to the club through consistent performances.

“If that results in an All Australian jacket or a golf jacket I’ll take it.

“It’s massive accomplishment and I’m just rapt to do it for this great club.

“This caps of a frustrating season but personally it’s a massive honour and privilege to wear this gold jacket.”

Originally published as Adelaide best and fairest winner Rory Laird says the players will emerge stronger from a disappointing year