AFL legend Dani Laidley responds to rumours she got engaged to partner Donnie Leckie

AFL legend Dani Laidley sent the rumour mill into overdrive when she showed off a diamond ring in a clip to Instagram with a mysterious caption.

AFL legend Dani Laidley has hit back at claims she got engaged to partner Donna Leckie over the weekend.

The former footy coach and North Melbourne premiership-winner, 54, sparked rumours after flashing a giant diamond ring on Saturday.

She shared a clip to her Instagram showing off the ring and her manicured orange nails alongside a mysterious caption: ‘What has just happened? Oh my god.’

Friends told the Herald Sun the pair had gifted each other “friendship” rings as a symbol of their love.

Now, Laidley has cleared the air and insisted she was simply celebrating “the ability to go back to Perth”.

Dani Laidley (right) is pictured with her partner Donna Leckie in a loved-up snap shared to her followers on social media. (Picture: Instagram)

The AFL legend sparked rumours with a video showing a large diamond ring (above), but said she was simply celebrating the “ability to go back to Perth”. (Picture: Instagram)

Laidley, who grew up in Perth and made her footy debut for the West Coast Eagles, lives in Melbourne with her partner.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan cancelled the state’s plan to reopen its borders on February 5, but allowed returning residents with ‘direct legitimate family connections’ to travel into the ‘hermit kingdom’.

Laidley and Ms Leckie first met in Grade 1 in West Australia, but only became romantically linked last year.

Since then they have been inseparable, with Laidley sharing loved-up photos to her social media and regularly referring to Ms Leckie as her “love”.

Laidley was embraced on a recent return to North Melbourne Football Club, and gained plaudits for a heartfelt speech at a transgender forum in regional Victoria.

“Not only the messages of support but the messages from parents of transgender children and the impact that last Friday had has absolutely blown me away,” she said.

“I want to raise awareness of transgender people to live life without barriers. It’s very important to me, and not just the transgender person themselves, but also their families for the support and counsel required to adapt to change.”