Is he though? Laird is a very good kick usually, IMO.
I forget what Saad's defensive skills are like too? Now they're probably much better than Laird's
Laird is good defensively due to heart, effort and fantastic aerial ability for his size. Saad is also very good defensively but in a different manner which includes top end speed (he wouldn't have let Puopolo sprint away from him so easily).
But with ball in hand there is zero comparison. Laird is an average kick of the footy, minimal penetration and just throws it on the boot when under pressure. Saad's kicks are clinical and bullet like.
Given the pathetic defensive effort of our current midfield, if we got Saad I wouldn't mind Laird playing the current Douglas role of defensive mid. I reckon he would get more possessions and actually do the defensive job.