Farewell Roy Laird

By ZAC MILBANK

One of SANFL’s greatest coaches, Roy Laird, will have his 17-year reign end when Central District host Port Adelaide at X Convenience Oval on Saturday.

The 50-year-old has spent 32 years of his life with his beloved Bulldogs, after starting his association with the club as an Under-19 player in 1988.

Winning seven League premierships speaks for itself, as does his 65.7% winning ratio in putting him up with South Australia’s greatest mentors in Jack Oatey, John Cahill and Fos Williams.

And while a host of past and present players would queue up to speak glowingly about Laird’s influence on their career, it is also well worth taking a look at his incredible career by the numbers.

Farewell Roy Laird, a true SANFL Champion.

LEAGUE COACH (2003-2019)

Played – 357
Won – 234
Lost – 121
Drawn – 2

Finals Record
Won – 22
Lost – 8

Winning Percentage – 65.7%

Premierships – 7 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
Runner-up – 2 (2006, 2011)

Non Finals Qualification – 3 (2014, 2018, 2019)

RESERVES COACH (2001-2002)

Premiership – 1 (2002)

Runner-up – 1 (2001)

ASSISTANT LEAGUE COACH (2000)

LEAGUE RUNNER (1999)

PLAYER (1988-1998)

League Games – 87
League Goals – 5

Reserves Games – 83
Reserves Goals – 9

Under-19 Games – 21
Under-19 Goals – 1

Total Games – 191
Total Goals – 15