As of Tuesday morning, North Melbourne no longer has a senior coach. Dean Laidley after 7 years as coach for the North Melbourne Football Club has called it quits.
As some of you may have been aware, the Roos were undergoing coaching reviews, which was meant to end by Round 16. Nothing was set in stone at any stage; however there were rumours that the club may in the midst of changing coaches, however this was neither confirmed nor denied by President James Brayshaw on the footy show, a few weeks ago.
At 1pm today, Laidley fronted the press alongside club president James Brayshaw. The Kangaroos president stated that earlier this morning Dean Laidley had contacted him to say that he was resigning effective immediately. Brayshaw also stated that he did not try to change Laidley’s mind, because he had been previously forced to talk Dean Laidley out of departing the club, but realised this time, Laidley’s reign with the Roo’s had ended.
Dean Laidley said that he had made up his mind that his future was not at North Melbourne last week reviewing what he initially wanted to achieve when he started the job in 2003. Brayshaw also stated that “Dean’s influence on this club has been immense” and that “He is a premiership player, a seven-year coach and most importantly a respected and greatly admired North Melbourne person”.
The club has also stated that assistant coach Darren Crocker will be taking over as caretaker coach for the remainder of the season.
At the middle of Season 2009, the Kangaroos sit on 12th spot on the ladder, winning just four of their games. They have struggled at times with injuries this year, and have been one of the most inconsistent teams.
Laidley’s coaching career began as assistant coach of Collingwood from 1999 till the end of 2002. Then in 2003 he took over Denis Pagan’s position as senior coach of North Melbourne (a club he used to play for during his playing career).
Laidley had the following successful moments, during his coaching days at the Kangaroos:
• In 2005, the Kangaroos had a slow start to the season, but Laidley managed to lift his team to finishing 5th on the ladder. Their season ended badly however, where in the 1st Elimination Final, the Kangaroos were thrashed by 87 points to reigning Premiers Port Adelaide.
• He coached the Kangaroos to a top 4 spot in 2007, with the double chance. However their hard work was shattered once again losing to minor premiers and eventual Premiers Geelong in the first qualifying final by 106 points (which is the fifth highest losing margin in finals history). The Roos then came back the following week to defeat Hawthorn by 33 points in the semi final, but then had their dreams broken with a preliminary final loss to Port Adelaide by 87 points.
During his coaching career at North Melbourne Laidley has coached 137 games; he has won 68 of those matches and lost 67 with 2 draws. During his finals appearances he has lead the Roos to 5 appearances but a disappointing 1 win and 4 losses.
As already mentioned one of North’s assistant coaches Darren Crocker will take over as caretaker of the club. The question is will he stay and if not who will be the permanent replacement? Some choices are; Former Kangaroos premiership player John Longmire,former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley and Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams as well as many other coaches out of contract at season’s end.
Former North Melbourne player and member of the Kangaroos Team of the Century Sam Kekovich is pushing on North Melbourne to sign past Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley as it’s long term coach because even though there are many options for the Roo’s, Buckley stands about the rest.
What do you think?
Should Laidley have stayed?
Will Darren Crocker do a good job?
Who would you like to see coach the Roo’s in season 2010 and beyond?
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