Adelaide Crows star Rory Laird hopes for more representative footy after being selected for bushfire relief game
Adelaide defender Rory Laird is keen for more representative footy to be included on the AFL calendar, after being selected to play for the All Stars in the bushfire relief game at Marvel Stadium next week.
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Newly-minted ‘All Star’ Rory Laird says he is keen for more representative footy to be included on the AFL calendar after being selected to play in the bushfire relief game at Marvel Stadium next week.
Laird was one of six South Australian-based players chosen to play in next Friday’s match.
He will join fellow Crows Taylor Walker and Brodie Smith in the All Stars’ squad, and will take on Adelaide captain Rory Sloane who has been picked in the Victorian team.
Port duo Robbie Gray and Scott Lycett will play for Victoria and the All Stars, respectively.
Ever since the AFL announced the game, it has sparked discussions as to whether something similar – or the revival of State of Origin – could be held either annually or biannually.
Laird said he would love the opportunity to pull on the SA guernsey.
“I’d be happy to play in it, I think most guys would be as well,” he said.
“It is a pretty unique experience and any time there is an opportunity I would definitely put my hand up, it’s an honour to represent your state.”
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Laird added while the game was played for charity, neither side would take it easy.
“I think some bits might be free-flowing and up and down, but I think if it is close I wouldn’t be surprised to see the competitive juices come out and a couple of the players get really serious, we saw it with the AFLX,” he said.
Laird’s selection in the All Stars’ squad may impact on just how much of the Marsh Community Series he plays.
The Crows play Melbourne on the weekend for their first outing and while he is available, it would have to be ticked off by the team’s high performance staff.
Only Tom Doedee (returning from a ACL injury), Riley Knight (Achilles) and Kyle Hartigan (ankle) will not be available for selection for Saturday’s match.
Doedee is set to play in the Crows’ Under-23 trial game against Port Adelaide next week.
Darcy Fogarty did not play in the Crows’ internal game on the weekend but is in line to play, while Ned McHenry looks to have shaken off a hip complaint.
Laird said the internal game had showed a lot of promise as to how the Crows were travelling under new coach Matthew Nicks.
“I think more of the defensive stuff we could practice, we could try and work on some of the stuff we don’t want the opposition to do to us,” he said, speaking on what his key take-outs were from the match.
Laird said Adelaide fans could expect “an exciting, aggressive brand of football” this season.
Originally published as Adelaide Crows star Rory Laird hopes for more representative footy after being selected for bushfire relief game