Three-time Club Champion Rory Laird’s start to the 2025 season has been like winding back the clock.

After spending the past four years with the Crows’ midfield brigade, Laird has made a return to defence - the position where he started his AFL career a decade ago and where he claimed two All-Australian blazers.

Speaking to the media on Monday, the 31-year-old said he was enjoying the transition back into defence, relishing leading a young backline.

“I’m loving it, I love the group we’ve got down there as a back six and seven,” Laird said.

“It’s a really young group and it’s nice to be down there and working with those guys.

“It’s a change for me, a little bit different to playing inside (the contest), a little less contact, a bit more running, but I think I have taken that in my stride and I am really enjoying working with the young guys down there.

“It just worked well with some of the experience I have with such a young backline and as I had played there previously, it probably helped as well.”

Laird, who is preparing to line-up in his 250th AFL match this Sunday, has enjoyed quite a journey since Adelaide selected him as a rookie in 2011.

In 2013, the SA product was elevated to the Crows’ senior list and in 2017 was selected in the All-Australian team, before claiming another blazer in 2018.

A switch to the midfield in 2020 paid dividends, with him winning a second Club Champion award in 2021, before stamping himself as one of the Crows’ most consistent, by claiming a back-to-back Malcolm Blight medal in 2022.

The half-back said hard work and determination shaped his career and helped him get to where he was.

He also revealed he had leant on fellow veteran Taylor Walker with how to approach the special week.

“It’s pretty funny in the AFL you don’t get a lot of time to think about your journey until it’s probably at the end, that’s why Tex has said ‘enjoy it this week and actually soak it up a little bit’,” Laird said.

“I think I was drafted at a time where it was more about the big-bodied midfielders and backs and obviously I am not a big-bodied midfielder.

“It’s more so once you get here about the work you put in and your consistency and willingness to do the hard work and do it over a long period of time.

“My 200th was in Perth, so as far away from Adelaide as you can get, so it’s nice for mainly my family, grandma, grandpa to be able to come down and have a look.”

Laird will be hoping the Crows can continue their good form, following a 61-point win against Essendon at the MCG in Round Two, and a 63-point victory against St Kilda in the opening match.

He credited the players’ team-first approach and natural improvement for the Club’s 2-0 start to the season.

“Hopefully the fans and people watching can see how we are connecting as a group and really enjoying seeing players doing stuff for each other, kicking goals and celebrating with each other,” Laird said.

“It's really enjoyable to see, I’m playing in the backline and can see it unfolding.

“We can tidy up a few little things… But we are obviously happy with getting the results and how we are going.”

Laird will celebrate his 250th game against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval this Sunday at 2.50pm.

Tickets available here.