Danielle May Laidley played and coached for the North Melbourne and West Coast Eagles clubs in the Australian Football League (AFL) from 1987 to 1997. She was a member of North Melbourne’s premiership team in 1996. She was the head coach of North Melbourne from 2003 to 2009.

Laidley, a man-born AFL coach, and the player took part in the league. Her lawyer stated that she had gone through a gender transition and wanted the name Dani as of November 2020.

Dani Laidley’s Childhood

Laidley grew up in Perth’s Balga neighborhood, a working-class district in Western Australia. Laidley began her professional football career in the West Australian Football League with the West Perth Football Club. She was chosen to play for the West Coast Eagles’ inaugural VFL team in 1987.

Dani Laidley Stats & Career

Laidley made her VFL debut for the West Coast Eagles against Richmond in Round 1 of 1987 at Subiaco Oval. Laidley, the Junkyard Dog, and an aggressive half-back line player were known for her commitment to the game and ability to win the ball. Her career took a big hit during the 1990 season when she needed knee surgery and struggled to reintegrate into the team. As a result, she missed West Coast’s title win in 1992.

Laidley played 52 games with the West Coast Eagles from 1987 to 1992, scoring 11 goals.

North Melbourne’s Dani Laidley

Laidley was relocated to North Melbourne at the end of 1992. Her play was distinguished by the deployment of a tactic that was later widely replicated by other teams: either kicking out or receiving an unimpeded short kick-out to the back pocket. Laidley was also a member of the North Melbourne premiership team in 1996.

Laidley played 99 games for the North Melbourne Football Club between 1993 and 1997, scoring four goals.

Early Coaching Career of Dani Laidley

After retiring from the AFL, Laidley began coaching, first with the Weston Creek team in the AFL Canberra tournament.

Her first AFL coaching post was as Mick Malthouse’s assistant coach at Collingwood, where she contributed to the team’s defeat in the 2002 AFL Grand Final.

North Melbourne Senior Coach Dani Laidley

Following Denis Pagan’s retirement as senior coach, Laidley was appointed as the Kangaroos’ new senior coach for the 2003 season. The squad finished tenth in her first two years. She led the Kangaroos to the finals in her first season as coach in 2005, but Port Adelaide defeated the squad in an elimination final. They underperformed in 2006, finishing 14th.

Laidley’s zeal as a player spilled over to her coaching approach, and her team was thought to embody the “Shinboner Spirit” of perseverance and never giving up. She was known to be antagonistic toward her playing group on occasion.

Laidley coached North Melbourne to the championship game twice in 2007. Her contract was set to expire at the end of 2007. Despite attempts by the Melbourne Football Club to engage her as a coach, Laidley’s contract with North Melbourne was extended for another two years. She led North Melbourne to another championship game in 2008.

Following a mid-season assessment and a string of defeats, Laidley announced her retirement as senior coach of North Melbourne on June 16, 2009, one round before what would have been her 150th game as a coach. Laidley was succeeded as interim senior coach of North Melbourne by assistant coach Darren Crocker for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Port Adelaide Career Dani Laidley

In September 2009, Laidley began working as a coach for the Port Adelaide Football Club.

After working as an assistant to Mark Williams and subsequently Matthew Primus for one season, Laidley indicated that she will return to Melbourne in 2011 for family reasons. She also stated that she was available to function as an opposition scout and commentator for Port Adelaide from Melbourne. Port Adelaide, on the other hand, confirmed on October 27, 2010, that she will remain as an assistant coach for the 2011 season, based in Adelaide four days a week and in Melbourne three days a week. When Matthew Knights was fired, she interviewed for the position of senior coach at Essendon Football Club but was not hired.

St Kilda’s Dani Laidley’s Career

Laidley was named the new midfield coach of the St. Kilda Football Club in early November 2011. St. Kilda’s head of football, Chris Pelchen, complimented the choice, citing Laidley’s depth of experience as a former player and coach. His experience will be invaluable to the Saints as they develop their entire roster.

Height, Weight

Dani Laidley Scandals

A Kangaroos fan and Laidley got into a fight during a game against St. Kilda in 2006, following a run of consistently poor performances. After responding to the supporter’s concerns twice with the honest conclusion that “we are all hurting,” Laidley invited the supporter to the club rooms to assess how badly the players were suffering as a result of their on-field performance. The footage was broadcast on national television. The fan later committed suicide, unrelated to the incident with Laidley.

When Laidley’s contract expired at the end of 2007, former Kangaroos great Wayne Carey slammed her and urged that another former teammate, John Longmire, take her place. After Laidley’s frank answer related to Carey’s private problems, Carey replied by labeling her arrogant.

In May 2020, Laidley was arrested and charged with stalking on a single count. She did not ask for bail. Laidley was found with 0.43 grammes of methamphetamine in her bra at the time of their arrest. In November, she was given an adjourned undertaking and participated in a diversion program, and the stalking charge was withdrawn. Laidley was purportedly photographed while being held by a Victoria Police officer dressed in women’s clothing. In December, the officer was charged with misconduct in public office, as well as unauthorized access to and publishing of police material.

Dani Laidley’s Wife and Business Partner

When she was Dean James Laidley, Laidley married Joanne Laidley. Joanne is a Melbourne, Australia-based homemaker and businesswoman. The marriage ended when Laidley chose to change his gender to hers. There is speculation that Laidley has reconciled with her childhood sweetheart, Donna Leckie, and that the two are engaged.

Dani Laidley’s Net worth

Laidley is worth $1.5 million.

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