Reigning Adelaide Club Champion Rory Laird says he is keen to work alongside recruit Tyler Brown and believes the youngster can add versatility and depth to the Crows’ 2023 squad.

On Wednesday morning, the Crows announced they had signed the former Collingwood on-baller during the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).

Speaking after Adelaide’s first open pre-season training session for 2023, Laird said 23-year-old Brown would be a welcomed addition.

“He’s (Brown) fit in seamlessly, he gets along with the boys really well and slotted in here after a couple of years at Collingwood, so he’s a great addition for us,” Laird said.

“I have played against him and his brother a couple of times… it’s great to see him out there (with us).

“I think the first couple of days are a whirlwind for anyone who comes into the club and we’ll get to know him better now.

“I think he can add a bit of versatility - he’s a big inside mid - but at the same time he can play that half-back (role) on the wing, and I think even up-forward, too.”

Laird won a back-to-back Best and Fairest Medal last year after a strong year, which included breaking the AFL’s tackles record in a single game with 20 in Round 18, and surpassing 40 disposals on two occasions.

The 29-year-old said pre-season was heating up with 61 days until the Crows’ 2023 campaign kicked off.

 “We are just getting into some match simulation now, which is always fun, it beats running around the oval doing laps,” Laird said.

“Our contest work was a strength last year, and I think as you saw today, there’s a lot of tackling that we do,” Laird said.

“We are in a really good, fit spot that enables us to play that match at this time of year and really progress.

“We have to play to our strengths with the inside-mid stuff and the contest stuff that we do well.”