Footy great Dani Laidley reveals the ‘worst decision I have ever made’ – and it is NOT to do with hiding her true gender identity from the world
- Dani Laidley has opened up about the final years of her AFL career
- She won the premiership in 1996 before retiring a year later
Dani Laidley has opened up about the final years of her impressive career in the AFL and claims there was one decision in particular she still regrets.
In an exclusive interview with Ny Breaking Australia, Laidley had previously spoken about the huge risk she took while hiding her true self from her family and friends while coaching in North Melbourne.
She also opened up about the toll hiding her gender identity had on her, with a Stan Original documentary Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes seeing the former AFL star meeting teammates for the first time since her transition became public in 2020.
Laidley started her career in professional football in 1997 with West Coast before joining North Melbourne in 1993.
She would make 99 appearances for the Kangaroos, winning the Premier League in 1996, before retiring a year later.
She would then move into coaching, taking on a role at Collingwood as an assistant under Mick Malthouse, before joining her former side, North Melbourne, as a senior coach.
But Laidley has now admitted she regrets not ending her playing career sooner.
The former half-back had a sensational season in 1996, but admitted she should have ended her career then rather than continue playing for another season.
“I wish I had retired sooner,” she said in a column for The Western Australia.
Dani Laidley has opened up about the final years of her impressive AFL career and claims there was one decision in particular she still regrets
Laidley won a premiership title with North Melbourne in 1996 and would retire a year later
Laidley has continued to play a role in North Melbourne, being seen at events and meetings with former players
“It’s one of the 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 this should have been the end and the time to pull out stumps. When you know, you know.
“I knew I couldn’t meet the standards I 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 her situation into account and said they should listen to their gut feelings.
‘My message to any player who finds themselves in a similar position is: listen to your intuition. You know when it’s time and your decision stays with you for the rest of your life.’