Crows star Rory Laird recommits on mega five-year deal

Big contract news coming out of West Lakes! ✍️

FORMER EDITOR | March 5, 2021 - 10:29am

Out-of-contract Crows star Rory Laird has turned his back on free agency to sign a long-term extension with the club until 2026.

The Age's Peter Ryan first reported on Friday morning on Twitter that the ball magnet had signed a five-year deal to remain at West Lakes.

"Rory Laird to sign a 5 year deal with Adelaide Crows turning back on free agency," Ryan tweeted.

Rory Laird to sign a 5 year deal with Adelaide Crows turning back on free agency @agerealfooty

— peter ryan (@petryan) March 4, 2021

The club confirmed Laird's extension later in the day in a statement on the club website.

“I love this footy club and the direction we are headed,” Laird told afc.com.au.

“The club gave me a chance as a rookie and I couldn’t be happier to be signing on for another five seasons.

“In my time at the Crows we have had some great moments and some challenging ones but that is all about the journey we are on and I am really excited by the talent on our list, the coaches we have in place and the next chapter, and I am fully committed to being a part of that.”

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Rory Laird of the Crows handballs during the 2018 AFL round 22 match between the Adelaide Crows and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval on August 19, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The dual All Australian has been one of the Crows' most reliable players since making his AFL debut in 2013.

Had he entered free agency, Laird would have been one of the most sought after stars on the market.

The 27-year old is coming off a superb season in 2020, with first-year coach Matthew Nicks injecting him into the midfield halfway through the campaign - where he averaged 22.9 disposals and 4.1 tackles from 17 games.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Rory Laird of the Crows in action during the 2019 AFL round 07 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on May 05, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Crows general manager of list management and strategy Justin Reid said Laird's signature was significant for the club moving forward.

“Rory has been a fantastic player for the Adelaide Football Club and that is evident by his two All-Australians and Club champion award over 160 games, and we look forward to seeing him improve even more over the next six seasons,” Reid said.

“But what can’t be measured is how highly regarded he is internally and the influence he is having over our young and developing group.

“He is the total professional, lives the values and standards we expect of our players, leads by example on and off the field and is an important part of the future of our club.”