Danielle Laidley linked with coaching return

Danielle Laidley, the former head coach of North Melbourne, is expected to rejoin the field after being connected to the Western Bulldogs AFLW position.

The former Eagle and Roo, as first reported by Daniel Cherny of CODE Sports, is reportedly among the few remaining contenders for the Whitten Oval position following the departure of former Saint Nathan Burke at the end of the 2023 campaign Although Laidley has not made any public remarks about the performance at the Kennel, the premiership winner has said in the past that she is still prepared for the call.

Before West Coast offered Daisy Pearce the position of head coach, Laidley said on SEN last year, “That is true (I want to return to coaching).”

“Since I had a contract for the documentary Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes, we had to wait until it was out.

“It’s a passion of mine, and I’ve been kind of preparing for about a year. I was even asked to take on a coaching role at one of the Melbourne teams for this AFLW season. However, since I had a contract for the doco, I was unable to.

“I want to coach again, people have connected the dots, and West Coast has a position available.”

Between 2003 and 2009, Laidley led her former team to a 50% win rate, guiding North Melbourne to the finals in three of the seven seasons.

The Western Australian also participated in 151 games for the Shinboners and West Coast, where she represented her state and saw premiership triumph in 1996.

The Western Bulldogs have not disclosed the identities of the other contenders or provided any kind of public statement about Laidley or her interest in the role.