Col Laidlaw
Essendon and Footscray
AFL career
66 games17 goals
- Debut
- R4 1919 v STK24 May 1919
- Most recent
- R14 1926 v FIT14 Aug 1926
Stats
Bio
Robert 'Col' Laidlaw was a skilled centre line player whose career is best defined by his pivotal role in Footscray’s historic transition from the VFA to the VFL. A Kensington Hill local, he originally debuted for Essendon in 1919, establishing himself as a consistent wingman and centreman over five seasons at Windy Hill. In 1924, Laidlaw was one of several League players lured to Footscray during the club's aggressive recruitment drive aimed at securing promotion to the top tier. The move yielded immediate success, as he won a VFA premiership and famously lined up against his former Essendon teammates in the 1924 Championship of Victoria, helping the Tricolours defeat the League premiers in a match that legitimized their VFL bid. He remained a key senior figure when Footscray was finally admitted to the VFL in 1925, providing experienced distribution and leadership in the midfield during the club's inaugural League seasons.
Profile
- Born
- 16 Sept 1896
- Died
- 25 Jan 1985 (aged 88y 131d)
- Birthplace
- Kensington, VIC
- Deathplace
- Melbourne, VIC
- Height
- 173 cm
- Weight
- 71 kg
Teams
Honours
- Brownlow Medal
- Top 10
- 1925
Bio
1 revisionRobert 'Col' Laidlaw was a skilled centre line player whose career is best defined by his pivotal role in Footscray’s historic transition from the VFA to the VFL. A Kensington Hill local, he originally debuted for Essendon in 1919, establishing himself as a consistent wingman and centreman over five seasons at Windy Hill. In 1924, Laidlaw was one of several League players lured to Footscray during the club's aggressive recruitment drive aimed at securing promotion to the top tier. The move yielded immediate success, as he won a VFA premiership and famously lined up against his former Essendon teammates in the 1924 Championship of Victoria, helping the Tricolours defeat the League premiers in a match that legitimized their VFL bid. He remained a key senior figure when Footscray was finally admitted to the VFL in 1925, providing experienced distribution and leadership in the midfield during the club's inaugural League seasons.