Laidley Says He'll Play It Hard And Straight
The Age
Thursday October 3, 2002
When Denis Pagan assumed control at Carlton less than a month ago, the dual premiership coach suggested there was a touch of romance in coaching the club he followed as a child. Yesterday, his successor at the Kangaroos, a former charge in Dean Laidley, was refusing to tug on the heart strings.
Laidley, a member of the Kangaroos' 1996 premiership team, faced the media for the first time as senior coach of his former club. His opening remarks mirrored his style of play - honest, tough and straight-forward.
He was short on sentiment, professing a readiness to make the hard decision, even if it is a former teammate who suffers from the consequence.
``There is no romance in football," said Laidley. ``If the hard decision has to be made, I will make it so the club goes forward, the playing list goes forward and we are on the right road to success. As harsh as it sounds, those decisions have to be made."
After beating off more qualified competition in Rodney Eade and Wayne Brittain, Laidley - at 35 the AFL's second youngest coach behind John Worsfold - signed a three-year deal with the Roos and then stamped his authority on the team.
``I'm not going to stand up here and say that we're going to win a premiership in three years," Laidley said. ``It's going to take a hell of a lot of work and we may have to take a step back or two in playing these young kids.
``But that's the direction I'm going to go. It is going to be a long, hard process and I think we have the capacity to do that and be successful in years to come."
While his players boarded a bus heading for a round of golf at the Patterson River course, Laidley was on his way to Canberra ready to interview potential draftees.
By his own admission, Laidley has secured a senior position ``a year or two" earlier than expected but he has already decided his and the Roos' new path.
``We will do things differently," he said. Birth certificates are ``out the window" and youth is the new way at Arden Street.
``We have to develop the kids that we have here; as I said, make sure we pick the best kids available to help support Anthony (Stevens) and the core leadership group."
Stevens, a teammate in 1996, is believed to have thrown considerable support behind Laidley's campaign to become coach. Yesterday, the captain was delighted by the new appointment.
``I've played with him and been mates with him over the years and we're going to give him full support," said Stevens.
``Over the years I've known Laids, he's just been full-on football and I think you've got to be thinking football 24 hours a day to be a coach, and that's what Dean does. There's no doubt we'll achieve a lot of success at North with Laids as our coach."
After dominating the 1990s, the Kangaroos - not always through circumstances of their own doing - have now changed the entire face of the club. President Allen Aylett said Laidley's appointment underlined the new feel at Arden Street.
``It's time for the Kangaroos and it is time for a new coach and I know I have got a feeling as though there is a breath of fresh air in the establishment."
Laidley paid tribute to Pagan and Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse as the coaches who had moulded him.
DEAN LAIDLEY
THE PLAYER
• Born: March 23, 1967
• Recruited from: West Perth
• AFL clubs: 1987-92 West Coast 52 games, 10 goals
1993-97 North Melbourne 99 games, 5 goals
• Premierships: 1 (1996)
THE COACH
• 1998 Kangaroos assistant
• 1999 Weston Creek Wildcats (ACT) coach
• 2000-02 Collingwood assistant
© 2002 The Age