Premiership Roo Corey McKernan says Dean Laidley’s lifestyle a test case for the AFL
Dean Laidley’s lifestyle was an open secret in AFL circles but now that it has come to light via leaked photos, his premiership teammates are rallying around him. And Corey McKernan says the AFL must back in its inclusive position.
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Dean Laidley’s premiership teammate Corey McKernan says his teammate’s alternative lifestyle is a test case for the AFL’s supposed inclusiveness.
Laidley’s arrest for stalking has rocked the tight-knit North Melbourne community, with his premiership teammates from that 1996 campaign led by Anthony Stevens already attempting to find ways to help the 53-year-old.
Many had known that Laidley had quirky lifestyle tendencies as early as his playing days, which continued when he was the coach for 149 games between 2003-2009.
But he closed himself off from those teammates and refused their advances, with even close friends unable to make contact.
Premiership ruckman McKernan said yesterday no one condoned any criminal conduct.
But McKernan told the Herald Sun he was disappointed at the response to Laidley being dressed in women’s clothing, saying football needed to be more open and mature.
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“He is someone who played at North Melbourne and did an incredible job as an under-resourced coach during his tenure. But he has lost his way and everyone is thinking of him and wants to see him get right.
“This is a big test case for the entire footy community. Everyone is talking about being supportive of LGBTI issues. Well if this is what this is, then everyone has to support that.
“If he has broken the law then he will face that but at North Melbourne we also need to support him.
“Everyone preaches a good game and talks about how we would support someone in the AFL community if they were gay or LGBTI. Then someone sticks a camera into a police station which is meant to be sacrosanct.”
Laidley’s former employers North Melbourne and the league’s playing and coach support groups will attempt to find ways to support him despite his dramatic descent.
The 53-year-old has been arrested for stalking, with his privacy then breached when photos of him dressed in women’s clothing last night were made public.
Former North Melbourne player Mark Brayshaw, now the AFL Coaches Association chief executive, told the Herald Sun the body was determined to help the former senior coach.
“His issues haven’t escaped our attention. We are in conversations with North Melbourne and the players association to try to work out the best way we can help him.”
MORE ON DEAN LAIDLEY:
Second police officer suspended over Dean Laidley photos
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His former manager Ricky Nixon said yesterday that Laidley would need to deal with his legal issues but said the football community would eventually help him get back on his feet.
“Everyone deserves a second chance so let’s hope we can offer him some help and support.
“I managed him for ten years, while he was playing and then the whole time he was coaching North Melbourne and while we knew he was dealing with things away from footy I always found him to be a good bloke. I would like to think when he is in a better state of mind we can help him get back on track.”
Transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey yesterday said it was a disgrace a leaked photo had been used to belittle his lifestyle choices.
“He was in police custody and should have expected a level of privacy in that situation,” Mouncey said.
“Clearly the photo was taken as a way to humiliate and embarrass someone in a vulnerable position and no one should should be subject to that.
“It doesn’t matter who he is, he should have expected a level of privacy and confidentiality and for that to be breached is not acceptable.”
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Originally published as Premiership Roo Corey McKernan says Dean Laidley’s lifestyle a test case for the AFL
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