“Happy as Larry” is how Jeremy Laidler describes himself ahead of his 50th game milestone on Saturday.
Laidler, who battled to play 26 games in his first five seasons of AFL, has skyrocketed to a milestone thought a pipe dream no thanks to a series of setbacks, disappointment and frustrations.
The 25-year-old feels right at home in the Swans’ defensive half, a welcomed state of mind given his shaky beginnings.
“It was slow early, the move up here has been massive for my confidence and career,” Laidler said.
“There was a stage where I didn’t know where my football career was going or whether I had played my last game, so to play 50 games is a great achievement.
“Not many blokes can say they’ve played a game of AFL let alone get to 50.”
Spending three seasons with Geelong was as much beneficial as disappointing for Laidler, grateful for the “apprenticeship” under some of the great defenders in the game like Matthew Scarlett and Darren Milburn but trying after managing only two games.
Carlton chased hard, got its man and Laidler repaid the faith by returning a breakout 19-game season under then coach Brett Ratten, developing into a key defender and playing an important role in the Blues’ two finals.
It was meant to be onwards and upwards but after a series of knee issues, the road became tougher and tougher with Laidler’s efforts in 2013 – “I did everything I could” – seemingly falling on deaf ears.
“My final year at Carlton was a waste of a year for me,” Laidler said.
“I had so much confidence coming off my 19 games in 2011 and then missed a year with injury, which is just one of things that happens in football. I used that year to refresh mentally as well as physically.
“Someone said to me during the 2013 pre-season that it will take a good 12 months to recover from the injury which was difficult to take and then when I was doing everything right and people were asking why I wasn’t getting a game it did very little for my confidence.”
Laidler believes football is a confidence game where success is reflective in not just how much inner belief you have but how much belief the people around have for you.
And there was plenty of support when Laidler arrived at the SCG in the form his new teammates welcoming him with open arms – in particularly Ted Richards who was his mentor and Rhyce Shaw who the recruit could talk to “about anything” – as well as a supportive coach who set the recruit a clear-cut goal from the outset.
“John (Longmire) said there was a spot for me if I was willing to take it,” Laidler said.
And Laidler has done just that, playing 19 games last season and the first four of 2015 to become a key within Swans’ defensive half.
“A lot of people talk about the club’s culture,” he continued.
“We’re all mates, we’re all close and hang out away from the club, there is no gap between the younger and older blokes and I believe that has gone a long way in helping me bring out my best football.”
The experiences of the past helped Laidler move on quickly from the disappointment of the Swans’ 2014 finals series, especially on a personal level after missing out on a spot in the final 22.
Instead of dwell, Laidler used the latest setback to fuel his pre-season campaign and what he hopes is a big season ahead.
“I never missed a beat over pre-season so it’s nice to go into the season fully fit and with no issues – touch wood,” he said tapping the coffee table in front of him.
“I’m rapt to be here, I’m happy as Larry.”
