- Dani Laidley has opened up about the final years of his AFL career
- He won the premiership in 1996 before retiring a year later.
Dani Laidley has spoken openly about the final years of his distinguished AFL career, claiming there was one decision in particular he still regrets.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, Laidley had previously spoken about the huge risk he took while hiding his true self from his family and friends while training at North Melbourne.
He also spoke out about the price hiding his gender identity had to pay, with Stan Original documentary Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes showing the former AFL star reuniting with his teammates for the first time since his transition. made public in 2020.
Laidley initially began his professional football career in 1997 with West Coast before joining North Melbourne in 1993.
He would go on to make 99 appearances for the Kangaroos, winning the Premiership in 1996, before retiring a year later.
She would later move into coaching taking up a role at Collingwood as assistant to Mick Malthouse, before joining her former team, North Melbourne, as senior coach.
But Laidley has now admitted she regrets not ending her playing career sooner.
The former midfielder enjoyed 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,” he said, writing in a column for Western Australia.
Dani Laidley has spoken openly about the final years of his distinguished AFL career, claiming there was one decision in particular he still regrets.
Laidley won a premiership with North Melbourne in 1996 and would retire a year later.
Laidley has continued to play a role at 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 it to this day,” he added.
“When the siren sounded announcing the end of the grand final, I knew it should have been the end and time to raise the stumps. When you know, you know.
‘I knew I couldn’t meet the standards I had set for myself. The club generously offered me a two-year contract with guaranteed money and taking it was the worst decision I have ever made in my life.
“The next season I hated football,” Laidley added.
Laidley urged other players to pay attention to their situation and told them to listen to their instincts.
‘My message to any player who may find themselves in a similar situation is to listen to your intuition. You know when it’s time and your decision will stay with you for the rest of your life.’