- Dani Laidley has opened up on the final years of her AFL career
- She won the premiership in 1996 before retiring a year later
Dani Laidley has opened up on the final years of her distinguished career in the AFL, claiming that there was one decision in particular that she still regrets.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, Laidley had previously spoken of the huge risk she took while she was hiding her true self from her family and friends while she was coaching at North Melbourne.
She also opened up on the toll that hiding her gender identity had on her, with a Stan Original documentary Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes showing the former AFL star meeting team-mates for the first time since her transition became public in 2020.
Laidley initially began her career in professional footy in 1997 with West Coast before joining North Melbourne in 1993.
She’d go on to make 99 appearances with the Kangaroos, winning the Premiership in 1996, before going on to retire a year later.
She would subsequently step into coaching taking up a role at Collingwood as an assistant under Mick Malthouse, before going on to join her former side, North Melbourne, as senior coach.
But Laidley has now admitted that she regrets not finishing her playing career earlier.
The former half-back enjoyed a sensational season in 1996, but admitted she should have called time on her career then, instead of playing on for another season.
‘I wish I had of retired earlier than I did,’ she said, writing in a column for The West Australian.
Dani Laidley has opened up on the final years of her distinguished career in the AFL, claiming that there was one decision in particular that she still regrets
Laidley won a premiership title with North Melbourne in 1996 and would go on to retire a year later
Laidley has continued to play a role at North Melbourne, being seen at events and meetings with former players
‘It is one of my only regrets of my football career and I still feel that to this day,’ she added.
‘When the siren sounded for the end of the grand final, I knew it should’ve been the end and time to pull up stumps. When you know you know.
‘I knew I couldn’t reach the standards I had set. The club generously offered me a two-year contract with guaranteed money and taking it was the worst decision I have ever made.
‘The next season I hated football,’ Laidley added.
Laidley urged other players to take heed of her situation, telling them to listen to their gut feeling.
‘My message to any player who may find themselves in a similar position is listen to your intuition. You know when it’s time and your decision sits with you for the rest of your life.’
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