While Sydney Swans recruit Jeremy Laidler admits he’s still trying to learn all the names of his new team mates, the one thing the former Blue isn’t uncertain of is his desire to play more senior football in 2014.
After a strong 2011 season with Carlton, which saw the defender play 19 games including two finals, Laidler dislocated his knee in early 2012 and played just one game in the 2013 season.
Disillusioned with where his career was heading and with the belief he still had plenty to offer, the 24-year-old said he was thrilled when the Swans handed him a lifeline in October.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Laidler told SwansTV.
“I want to try to play as much senior footy as I can and hopefully can help bring some more success to the club.”
Upon meeting with the Swans coaching staff during the trade period, it was made clear that the retirement of Marty Mattner had opened the door for Laidler, who they considered to be cut in a similar mould.
Laidler said he was looking forward to challenging for a position in the Swans back six as well as working with Mattner, who recently began a new role as a Swans assistant coach.
“As a defender, I used to watch Marty Mattner’s tapes,” he said.
“I’m a left footer so I want to try to emulate his game, so I’ll do a bit of work with him and see how he went about his business.”
Once the deal to join the Swans went through, Laidler moved to Sydney immediately and joined the Swans’ first-to-fourth year players for pre-season training in mid-November.
After battling injury over the 2012/13 pre-season at the Blues, Laidler said he was looking forward to completing a settled, club-based pre-season program with his new team mates this year.
“My last pre-season last year was pretty interrupted coming back from a knee injury, but it’s good to be in Australia and not going to Arizona or anywhere and it’s good to be in the heat and trying to fit in with all the boys,” he said.
“The running is really solid and the first-to-fourth year boys were doing really well before the older boys got back and it was good to come in a couple of weeks earlier and get to know them before I got to know the older boys as well.”
Off the field, Laidler said he felt he was settling in well in Sydney, but was still waiting for someone very important to join him in the Harbour City before he could feel completely at home.
“I’m slowing starting to find my feet and it’s slowly starting to feel like home, which is good,” Laidler said.
“I’ve got my girlfriend up here now and the next thing is trying to get my little dog up here, so once he gets up here we’ll all be settled.
“I’ve got a little English Pointer. He turned one the other day and his name is Dusa.”
