Rory Laird is among the contenders for the AFL Players’ Association Robert Rose Award as the competition’s most courageous player, to be revealed at the AFLPA MVP Awards on Tuesday.
Laird, 21, has become one of Adelaide’s most important cogs in defence this season.
The former rookie has played every game and averaged over 24 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency. He’s conceded less than a goal a game to his direct opponents throughout the year.
Laird’s stellar season saw him rewarded with his first All Australian nomination, alongside Patrick Dangerfield, Eddie Betts and Crows captain Taylor Walker.
But it’s his bravery that sets Laird apart from many players of his calibre.
Standing just 178cm tall, Laird has put his body on the line for the team on regular occasions, often floating back to fill gaps in Adelaide’s backline with tremendous disregard of his own safety.
He ranks fifth in the AFL for intercept possessions and is No.1 at the Crows for intercept marks as a testament to his courage.
Past winners of the Robert Rose Award include Joel Selwood, Luke Hodge, Jonathan Brown and Adelaide assistant coach David Teague. A Crow is yet to win the Robert Rose Award.
Jake Lever has also been nominated for the AFLPA’s Best First Year Player, which will also be announced in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
The Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli won last year’s honour, with past winners including Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Dyson Heppell.
The final 22Under22 team will also be confirmed, with Laird, Lever and Charlie Cameron Adelaide’s representatives in the initial 47-man squad.
Laird, Patrick Dangerfield and Eddie Betts were revealed as Adelaide’s contenders for the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA’s Most Valuable Player.
All AFLPA Awards are decided by votes from the players themselves. Players first nominate teammates for each award, before voting for a winner from opposition clubs.
The AFLPA MVP Awards ceremony begins at 6pm at Docklands in Melbourne. Fox Footy will broadcast the event live.
2015 AFLPA Robert Rose Award nominees
Rory Laird (Adelaide)
Mitch Robinson (Brisbane)
Sam Docherty (Carlton)
Tom Langdon (Collingwood)
Mark Baguley (Essendon)
Matt de Boer (Fremantle)
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Steven May (Gold Coast)
Callan Ward (GWS)
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
Jack Viney (Melbourne)
Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
Tom Logan (Port Adelaide)
Alex Rance (Richmond)
Sean Dempster (St Kilda)
Luke Parker (Sydney)
Brad Sheppard (West Coast)
Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs)
