Dani Laidley has revealed the huge risk she took by hiding her true self from family, friends and football stars during her time as a coach at North Melbourne.
The new Stan Original Documentary Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes shows the 56-year-old meeting former teammates and players for the first time since her struggle with her gender identity and transition to female became public knowledge.
Laidley receives a warm and emotional welcome from football greats Peter Bell, Matthew “Spider” Burton and Adam Simpson. The latter greeted her at his house with a kiss on the cheek and the words: “It’s been a long time, buddy.”
The former Kangaroos coach and star player (pictured in July with partner Donna Leckie) shares an emotional reunion with her former teammates in the Stan documentary Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes
Former North Melbourne teammates from the club’s golden years in the 1990s are joined by two Laidley-coached players – Drew Petrie and Daniel Pratt – for a very insightful conversation.
During the meeting, the former Kangaroos star and coach reveals that when she was in charge of the club from 2003 to 2009, she always flirted with revealing her true identity.
“As a trainer, I went out a lot and knew it was high risk,” she tells her friends, then explains that at the time she dressed in a way that reflected her true gender identity.
‘What did you do?’ Pratt asks. “Were you just being yourself?”
“No, I was mine real Myself – I,” replies Laidley, pointing to her heart.
“I always felt on the inside how I now appear on the outside – always,” she continues.
“I’ve never heard you talk so much,” Pratt remarks.
Laidley (pictured in 1998) reveals he risked exposing his double life to the world when he coached North Melbourne
The former Kangaroos boss (pictured with his assistant coach Darren Crocker in 2009) is given a warm welcome by his former teammates before an insightful chat
‘You know why?’ Laidley replies. “It’s therapeutic for me.”
“I have never in my life been able to sit down and talk about anything in my life.”
“It was so segmented, Pratty, and that’s why it was so difficult. ‘What you see now is me.’
It’s just one of several poignant moments the group shares with Laidley as she talks about the price of keeping footy’s biggest secret from those closest to her.
“Any stress or if the gender issue came up and you had to deal with it, I would concentrate fully on my career,” she tells the group.
“I was with my advisor one day and it just came out and I was like, ‘Oh damn.’”
Dani’s teammates from North’s golden years in the 1990s – including current West Coast coach Adam Simpson (left), Matthew Burton (right) and Peter Bell – support her at their reunion
“I was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, which I have had for as long as I can remember.”
At one point, Peter Bell tells her that everyone in the room just wants her to be happy, before Burton asks if she has any regrets.
An emotional Laidley says: “The only thing I regret, Spi, is how it came out and it drove my daughters away from me.”
The documentary also reveals the shocking way her children found out about her transition, as well as the harrowing moment she recounts her suicide attempt.
In 2020, Dani’s life spiraled out of control when she was arrested on stalking charges while battling drug addiction.
Stan’s documentary (pictured) also reveals the shocking way Laidley’s children discovered she had changed
A Victorian police officer leaked photos of Dani in custody to the media, publicly outing her before she came out to other family members and friends.
In the anticipated documentary, she speaks candidly about her life as a closeted transgender woman in the AFL, her arrest and how she has found her true self over the past three years.
“It’s with nervous anticipation that I share my story with Australia – it hasn’t been the easiest journey, but I’ve made some precious memories along the way and met some incredible people,” says Dani.
“This story will have no consequences; You will see me at my lowest and my highest, surrounded by those I care about most and who have stood by me through it all.
“My truth is becoming more prevalent in today’s society and highlights the need for greater inclusivity, understanding and acceptance.”
The Stan Original Documentary Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes won’t premiere until September 19th Stan.
