Round eight of the NEAFL season will hold extra significance for Ainslie as they look to celebrate popular club figure Ian Lawless’ 150th game for the club.
by Lucas O'Neill, AFL Canberra Journalist
Lawless joined the Tri Colours nine seasons ago in 2007 as a 21 year old after being recruited from his local club Orbost in Victoria.
Now nine years later he has played in two premierships, captained the club and is considered one of the most ferocious and consistent players of the last decade.
Ainslie head coach Chris Rourke described Lawless as the ultimate team player and someone that was a great role model for all players around the club.
“He [Lawless] is the ultimate team player, he is consistently good every week and always puts his body on the line, there is really nothing more a coach could ask for.” Rourke said.
When asked if he ever expected to become a 150 game player at the club all of those years ago Lawless laughed.
“Not a chance, it didn’t even cross my mind that I would still be playing here nine years later when I first arrived.” Lawless said.
Lawless attributes his long jeopardy in Canberra to the way the club has treated him over the years as well as his life outside football.
“The footy club has been really good to me over the years, I have also had a good job in Canberra which has always helped.”
A crucial member of the 2010 and 2011 premierships Lawless recalls these as some of the best times he has had during his time at the club.
“The two premierships have definitely been the highlights for me… Especially the second premiership [2011] because no one gave us a chance of beating the swans, we weren’t meant to win and we did comfortably so for me that was the best.”
Lawless spent two seasons as captain of the club but stepped down from the position at the end of 2013.
“It [captaincy] was not something that came naturally to me, it took a lot of getting used to but I really enjoyed it… In the end I had a lot of other things going on outside of football with the birth of my son so I didn’t think I could commit to the time involved.”
In the last month Lawless has proved that he is still capable of producing great football, being one of Ainslie’s best performers so far this season.
This was highlighted by his best on ground performances against Redland last weekend which included 35 disposals and six tackles.
“My body is feeling alright at the moment but being nearly 30 it obviously takes a little bit longer to recover each week… I have to put a lot more work into my training and recovery each week but that is all part of it.”
However when the coach was asked how he felt Lawless was travelling and what he thought of his current form, he was very sure that he had plenty of football left in him.
“He is just a no fuss player who takes no shortcuts and trains the way he plays every week… He was best on ground for us last week and second best in the week before playing a totally different role, I hope he plays on I will be happy to have him in my side as long as I coach here.” Rourke said.
Ainslie will hope they can celebrate Lawless’ 150th game with a win against cross town rivals Eastlake on Saturday afternoon when they meet at Alan Ray oval at 2pm.
Photo: Ben Southall Photography
Last Modified on 29/05/2015 15:45