Don Pyke, the newly appointed chief executive of the West Coast, has hinted at the possibility of Dani Laidley spearheading their AFLW coaching team. Laidley, an ex-North Melbourne mentor, expressed enthusiasm and readiness for the return to coaching — at the West Coast.
In a recent conversation with Eagles players, Laidley disclosed her deliberations and eagerness to “coach again”, stirring the speculation just before the AFLW Pride Round this weekend.
The development comes in the wake of West Coast’s separation from senior coach Michael Prior, consequent to a disappointing season 2-6 start. The void was temporarily filled by assistant Rohan McHugh, set to supervise the team for the remaining two games of the season.
Laidley chimed in further on her plans. Spending her days shuffling between Melbourne and Perth, she disclosed readiness for “any case scenario” to step into coaching an AFLW team again, underlining zero interest in resuming coaching in men’s games.
Donna, Laidley’s partner, and she have been pondering over life’s impending chapters, she confessed. Aware of a vacant coaching position at West Coast, she signalled, “I want to coach again.” While also pointing that West Coast’s current state of not having a coach for their women’s team might play in her favor, Laidley strengthened her anticipations. However, she maintained a balanced outlook, accepting the possibility of the interim coach continuing the tenure.
Don Pyke, ratifying his new position as the club’s chief executive, indicated he would approach Laidley if she wished to partake in the new coach appointment process. While not explicitly revealing any specific conversations, Pyke nodded at his awareness of the media conjectures surrounding Laidley’s return. He cautiously toyed with the idea, “It’s an option to consider, if she is interested in proceeding further.”
Meanwhile, Laidley professed that despite her eight-year hiatus, she was in sync with the contemporary coaching trends, dismissing worries of potential dissonance. With a past coaching tenure at North Melbourne and assistant coach stints at Port Adelaide, St Kilda, and Carlton, Laidley expressed confidence about her readiness to face the competitive world of coaching.
Confident of her charisma, Laidley recalled her interaction with the Eagles players preceding their Pride Round match against Adelaide on Sunday. The meeting focused on “being your authentic self, acceptance, inclusion” was planned much ahead of the Pride Round and recalled the event as “great.”
