New Carlton assistant Dean Laidley looking forward to working with Blues' midfield bunch

NEW Carlton midfield coach Dean Laidley can't wait to get his hands on the Blues' midfield stocks.

Dean Laidley has joined the Blues from St Kilda. Picture: Simon Cross

NEW Carlton midfield coach Dean Laidley can't wait to get his hands on the Blues' midfield stocks.

A veteran of the AFL scene, Laidley - who has been a senior coach at North Melbourne as well as assistant roles at Collingwood (under Mick Malthouse), Port Adelaide and St Kilda - recently joined the Blues' coaching staff after three seasons with the Saints.

Having renewed his partnership with Malthouse, the man who also played under the Blues' senior coach will take charge of the onball brigade.

And he knows with names like Chris Judd and Marc Murphy, as well as newer faces like former Brisbane Lion Sam Docherty, there is much to like.

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"I'm really looking forward to working with them," Laidler told the Blues' website.
"There's some champions in there, there's some young players who are making their way, there are players trying to force their way in and there's the addition of Dale Thomas.

"Carlton's list is much like any other - there are some real strengths and some holes to fill, but the depth has improved through the trades and will continue to do so through the draft.

"We'll need our best players playing 15-20 games through the year, with a couple of breathers through the year which does them good, because, like any club, you need your best players on the park."

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Despite the Blues not yet having resumed training, Laidley said he had already made contact with players in a bid to try to build relationships with the men he will work so closely with in coming months.

"I've been trying to call as many of the players as I can, just really to touch base, to say 'g'day' and to tell them that I'm on board," Laidley said.

"They'll all start to wander in next week, so this is a bit of an icebreaker and the response so far has been terrific.

"I come in pretty much cold, which is really good.

"Yes, you have a perception, but then you get to know the players and forge relationships with them. That's the best thing of footy for me and I'm really looking forward to that part of it."