Despite Adelaide’s poor year, the move of Rory Laird into the midfield has been a roaring success.
The All-Australian half back flanker has immediately clicked as an on-baller and was particularly impressive against the much-vaunted GWS midfield.
Laird won 11 clearances and laid nine tackles to go with 28 disposals in the win, pairing nicely with the more inside-focused Crouch brothers and Rory Sloane.
Tim Watson has been impressed with the move and with how Adelaide controlled the midfield battle against the Giants.
“(Adelaide) shifted Laird in there (on-ball) and I think he’s always had the potential to be a midfielder,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.
“I think he was All-Australian at half back and there’s always the idea that you need your back six settled.
“It was only through absolute necessity that they decided to shift him and he gives them a lot of spark and a lot of energy around the ball.
“They’ve got some really good inside ball winners, but they took the Giants to the cleaners in that area.”
The Crows won the clearances 34-24 and locked the ball in their forward half, winning the inside 50s 49-26.
The win was their second in a row and they take on Carlton this Sunday afternoon before finishing the season against Richmond.