Rory Laird has developed into one of the game’s most prolific ball-winners since moving to the midfield, but has his move been a success?
Laird ranks second in disposals per game and total tackles in 2022, while he’s also sixth across the competition for total centre clearances.
The 28-year-old spent much of his first eight seasons playing across half-back, but since a full-time move to the on-ball unit, Laird has prospered to average career highs across plenty of key stats.
Despite the success on paper, Kane Cornes doesn’t believe the transition has been worthwhile.
“Rory Laird has had a good year, but I’m just not a buyer on what he’s doing,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“He gets so much of the football, but doesn’t hurt you with the football. A lot of his possessions are picking it up and hacking it on the boot. How many times does he actually pick the ball up and just force it forward without any method to what he’s doing?”
As Cornes notes, Laird plays a similar style to on-the-outer Crow Matt Crouch.
“I think Matt Crouch has been harshly dealt with. He’s not doing a lot different to what Rory Laird is doing," Cornes continued.
“He gets massive numbers, we know that. I'd be exploring long-term for Laird to go back to half-back, I think he’s a better player at half-back than what he is in the midfield, despite his numbers suggesting otherwise.
“They need to address the midfield, clearly, and get some players than complement the other workhorses they have in there.”
Crouch has been made a scapegoat of sorts for Adelaide’s midfield troubles this season, with the Crows’ current on-ball unit having little flexibility.
He's been dropped to the SANFL three times this year.
Laird, Sam Berry and Ben Keays are all workman-like midfielders who don’t offer a point of difference.
Cornes suggested on Monday that the Crows should look to improve their midfield attributes, suggesting Sydney’s Will Hayward should be a trade target.
Adelaide recruited Jordan Dawson in last year’s trade period, with the 25-year-old spending most of his time at half-back and half forward.
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