Two Rories down for Crows – but one to go
Adelaide is closer to securing its full complement of Rories, with defender Rory Laird signing on for another three years.
Rories Laird and Atkins have re-signed for the Crows this year. Photo: David Mariuz / AAP
The All Australian, who had 40 touches in the Crows’ loss to Essendon last week, will remain at the club until at least 2021.
The one-time rookie recruit averaged 30 possessions a game last year and he has become an important cog in Adelaide’s run from defence.
“Adelaide is just a great club to be at and I’m thrilled to be able to keep playing footy here,” Laird told the club’s website.
“The Crows gave me my first chance at playing AFL when they took me in the rookie draft and it’s nice to be able to repay that faith… there’s a really positive environment at the club with all the players and coaches driving each other to get better every day.”
Laird’s commitment follows that of emerging midfielder Rory Atkins, who signed a contract extension in January, but the signature of engine room star Rory Sloane remains the Crows’ most fraught priority.
Sloane will be a free agent when his contract expires this season, with reports several Victorian clubs are circling with lucrative offers.
He is still yet to commit to the Crows, despite a pre-season TV news report that he was close to re-signing and might do so before the season kicked off.
-InDaily
