I'm not sure I agree they are similar players. I reckon Laidlaw has more potential to be explosive. He is quicker and an absolutely superb overhead mark for his size.
I don't think Thornton's ever going to be an excitement machine but everything about his game is solid, he works hard, and could yet have a long career with us as one of those unobtrusive type of players that you barely notice during a game but then realise did absolutely everything asked of him.
Thanks liz, i have only seen them on telly, and i guess their hair, pace, and long kicking were the similarities i could see..
Though its good to hear you rate Laidlaw so highly, im really looking fwd to him making regular senior appearances.
BTW where and more importantly who do you see him playing and replacing?
I would have thought HBF, and Bevan..