Laidley quits as Kangaroos coach

North Melbourne's financial troubles helped cut short Dean Laidley's coaching
tenure, but Kangaroos chairman James Brayshaw insists they won't prevent the AFL
club luring the best replacement.
Laidley quit because he felt it "patently obvious" he could not take the side any
further, and admitted limited resources had made his six-and-a-half-season reign
"always tough".
He became the second coach to stand down this month - following Richmond's Terry
Wallace - when he told Brayshaw on Tuesday he would not seek another contract beyond
2009.
The pair then agreed it was best Laidley, 42, leave immediately and hand the reins
to assistant coach Darren Crocker, who will serve as caretaker for the rest of this
season.
The Roos will review the football department over the remainder of the season.
Like Richmond caretaker Jade Rawlings, Crocker was immediately installed by
bookmakers as favourite to earn the full-time position at his club in 2010.
But the list of potential replacements includes Sydney assistants John Longmire and
John Blakey and Richmond assistant David King, all former North players, along with
Hawthorn assistant Damien Hardwick, and coach-in-waiting Nathan Buckley.
The fact two clubs are now on the search for a new coach will also force
under-performing Port Adelaide to sharpen their attention on Mark Williams' future.
Williams is one of five other coaches out of contract at season's end, but his
position is considered less secure than those held by West Coast's John Worsfold,
Collingwood's Mick Malthouse, the Western Bulldogs' Rodney Eade and Geelong's Mark
Thompson.
Laidley will take time to decide whether to pursue another coaching job or a
position within a football department, but is certain he will be at another club in
2010.
"I want to stay in footy, there's no question about that," he said.
"Footy's been my life, it's what I do and I'm good at it.
"I know I'm good at it. I'll probably go anywhere.
"I haven't thought about what I want to do, whether it's a senior position or some
sort of coaching position or management position, I'm unsure."
North have endured financial trouble in recent seasons, but Brayshaw said North had
channelled more funds into their football department.
He was confident that a revised stadium deal and the ongoing development works at
Arden Street made North an enticing prospect for a new coach.
"Whoever comes in will inherit an amazing club on the rise," he said.
"We need to find the absolute best person, but who that will be and how we'll go
about it is for future meetings."
Laidley first considered walking away after North were knocked out of the 2008
finals by Sydney, only to be talked around by Brayshaw.
But when Laidley came to his final decision, after meeting on Monday night with
football manager Donald McDonald, Brayshaw knew by the "tone of his voice" he would
not be deterred again.
Brayshaw said he had "no idea" Laidley would stand down, and Laidley said his
players - some of whom gathered to watch Tuesday's press conference - were also
surprised.
The departure came as North were reviewing the coaching position, as part of a
clause in Laidley's contract which stipulated he be informed of the club's plans for
the future by round 16.
But Brayshaw said the review committee had not yet ruled on Laidley's future.