When Crows defender Rory Laird runs out onto Adelaide Oval for his 250th AFL game, he’ll be creating a lifelong memory for not just himself, but for his family.

Laird, a three-time Club Champion and two-time All-Australian, will mark the milestone in the clash against North Melbourne by going through the banner with his 22-month-old nephew, Joel.

It’s set to be an emotional moment for the backman’s younger sister and Joel’s mum, Mia Jenkin, who knows just how hard Laird has worked to get to game 250.

“I will probably be at the top of the race crying, it’s amazing that he’s doing that and my little boy will have that opportunity to see his uncle play his 250th game,” Jenkin told AFC Media.

“It’s going to be so surreal and so special.

“All I can remember from childhood is Rory playing footy, every week we’d be at Kenilworth Footy Club and he’d be playing, footy was always on the TV.

“To see him become All-Australian and witnessing him win the Best-and-Fairest, it didn’t shock me, because that’s just the person he is, when he loves something he’ll put his heart and soul into it.”

Jenkin said she and Laird shared a strong bond, despite a three-and-half-year age gap, and spent much of their childhood playing backyard footy.

“Rory and I have always had a really great relationship, he’s the classic sporty older brother who nailed every sport that he played,” Jenkin said.

“I’d like to claim that I helped with his tackling career because I’d just cop it all, but we’d always play bean bag footy and wrestle for the ball.

“Growing up with him was awesome, we always hung out together and played and he’s been the best big brother I could ever ask for, so I feel very lucky to have him.

“With my son now, watching Rory be an uncle is just unreal, it’s just the best to witness that, so we try to see him as much as we can.”

Laird’s journey to 250 has been built off hard work and determination, according to Jenkin.

The SA product, who developed his craft at Kenilworth Football Club and West Adelaide, was overlooked at the National Draft in 2011.

He was, however, invited to train with Essendon and Adelaide the lead up to the rookie draft that same year, where the Crows swooped with Pick No.5 – six spots before the Bombers.

Since then, he has become a reliable and consistent cog in the Crows’ team, having claimed two All-Australians (2017, 2018) and three Club Champion awards (2018, 2021, 2022).

“When he didn’t make it during the national draft, we were hanging out for the rookie draft, and the moment his name was on the screen, it was the best thing ever,” Jenkin said.

“Our family was and still is so immensely proud of him.

“His determination is just unreal.

“To get to where he is now, it’s crazy to think he’s playing his 250th this week and that he’s been at one Club, it just blows my mind with how amazing he is.”

Laird’s under-18 coach at West Adelaide Greg Mellor had a first-hand look into what made the Crows veteran tick as a youngster.

Mellor said the running half-back’s career so far was the perfect lesson of perseverance and grit for aspiring footballers.

“My main memories of him were that he was a pretty quiet lad, but he was just super clean, never fumbled, and made good decisions,” Mellor said.

“He just went about his business, did everything right and was really determined to get where he wanted to get to.

“There were probably better players than him… but each level he went up, he adapted really well and he has gone on to have an amazing AFL career.”

Mellor remembers Laird as being the ultimate teammate and says his success is reward for all the hard work over the years.

“He was professional, really listened really well and would try and implement anything to fit into the team and improve his own game,” Mellor said.

“Watching him from afar, he’s obviously put in a lot of time to improve and he’s probably had a few good development coaches at the Crows as well to support him.

“Then it would’ve been his work ethic to push himself to get to where he has got to and he just wants to do whatever is best for the team.

“I’m sure he’s still the same as he was back when I coached him - just a really good kid from a really good family - respectful and hard working. He’s put himself up as one of the greats of the Adelaide Football Club and is a credit to himself, his family, the Crows, and in an earlier lifetime, to the West Adelaide Football Club.”

The Crows will celebrate Laird’s 250th when they take on North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday at 2.50pm.

Tickets available here.