Dani Laidley has set tongues wagging that she may be engaged after showing off a giant diamond ring on social media.
The AFL star, 54, who recently reconnected with her childhood sweetheart Donna Leckie, flaunted the sparkler in a video shared to Instagram on Saturday.
The clip, shot in Moonee Ponds, Victoria, showed the glamorous former athlete holding her hand to her face in shock as the ring caught the light.
Ready to wed? Dani Laidley (pictured) has set tongues wagging that she may be engaged after showing off a giant diamond ring on social media
She appeared to be out at a restaurant, and glanced at the ring in shock multiple times in the clip.
Adding to the mystery, the video was captioned: ‘What has just happened? Oh my god.’
Fans flooded the comments section with offers of congratulations, adding to chatter that Laidley may be engaged.
Ring ring: The clip, shot in Moonee Ponds, Victoria, showed the glamorous former athlete holding her hand to her face in shock as the ring caught the light
Adding to the mystery, the video was captioned: ‘What has just happened? Oh my god.’ Fans flooded the comments section with offers of congratulations
Show of force: It is unclear who Laidley may be engaged to, however she stepped out with Donna Leckie (left), her childhood sweetheart who she sat next to in Grade 1, in Melbourne in December last year
However, she also appeared to be wearing the same ring in a social media post made several weeks prior.
It is unclear who Laidley may be engaged to, however she stepped out with Donna Leckie, her childhood sweetheart who she sat next to in Grade 1, in Melbourne in December last year.
Ms Leckie’s appearance on the arm of Laidley set tongues wagging, with news outlets only referring to her by her first name.
She had paid tribute to her new partner by sporting earrings of the letter ‘D’ in her honour during the visit.
Close: Laidley had paid tribute to her new partner by sporting earrings of the letter ‘D’ in her honour during the visit
Laidley was a 1996 premiership player for the Kangaroos when she was known as Dean Laidley and then coached the AFL club between 2003 and 2009.
Ms Leckie meanwhile is a highly regarded aged care specialist, with more than two decades of experience.
She had first met Laidley in Grade 1 in Western Australia.
Both had grown up in the working-class town of Balga – 13 kilometres north of Perth city’s central business district.
Work: Ms Leckie is a highly regarded aged care specialist, with more than two decades of experience. She had first met Laidley in Grade 1 in Western Australia
Both left handed, the pair had been forced to sit together at school.
Ms Leckie – who was simply referred to as Donna during a recent interview with Melbourne’s Herald Sun – said she still remembered Laidley’s long blonde hair.
They had been childhood partners both at primary and high school.
The pair reconnected in 2017, with Ms Leckie rekindling her romance with the troubled ex-footballer about six months ago.
Romance: The pair reconnected in 2017, with Ms Leckie rekindling her romance with the troubled ex-footballer about six months ago
Laidley had been at her lowest point after being outed by cruel Victoria Police officers after her arrest on stalking and drug charges.
The fallen star was a ‘broken’ in the months leading up to her arrest in May last year.
When police arrested her, she allegedly had a quantity of methamphetamine stashed in her bra in a prison cell.
Photos taken of the father of three wearing a dress, blonde wig and makeup during her police interview were later leaked on social media, prompting a public outcry.
Career: Laidley was a 1996 premiership player for the Kangaroos when she was known as Dean Laidley and then coached the AFL club between 2003 and 2009
Laidley would later to sue Victoria Police and several officers were charged.
Ms Leckie has stood by Laidley as she has fought to get her life back on track.
She appeared by her side in a recent court hearing, which resulted in the ex-footballer receiving a criminal conviction.
Daily Mail Australia is unable to reveal that offence due to legal reasons.
Ms Leckie had provided a character reference to the magistrates’ court on her partner’s behalf – sitting alongside Laidley as she appeared in court from her car, which appeared to be parked in a shopping centre car park.
Memories: Ms Leckie – who was simply referred to as Donna during a recent interview with Melbourne’s Herald Sun – said she still remembered Laidley’s long blonde hair
Since rekindling their relationship, Laidley has become more confident in her new skin.
The pair were photographed together at Geelong Racecourse late last year, prompting Laidley to hit back at Victoria Police yet again after their image was circulated via text message with transphobic comments by several members.
Known as ‘The Junkyard Dog’ during her playing career, Laidley is beginning to again resemble the confident footballer that launched her to stardom in the 90s.
‘It’s great being back at the North Melbourne Football Club for this important announcement of being debt-free, also on the back of Transgender awareness week, as I am proud of both of my tribes,’ she said on return to her club at that time.
Close: The pair had been childhood partners both at primary and high school
Laidley would seem to have found the perfect companion in Ms Leckie, who has dedicated her life to helping others.
The bubbly mum and grandmother appears to be the Belle of the Ball, with social media photos capturing her enjoying a tipple among friends and at the races.
Acting as chief operations officer at Compatible Care, Ms Leckie has been a passionate advocate for older people.
Laidley was contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment.
Past: Known as ‘The Junkyard Dog’ during her playing career, Laidley is beginning to again resemble the confident footballer that launched her to stardom in the 90s
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