Former North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley charged with stalking

Dean Laidley, who won a premiership as a player, faced a Melbourne court on several charges, including one count of stalking.

Former North Melbourne coach and premiership player Dean Laidley is in custody in Melbourne after being arrested in St Kilda on Saturday night.

The 53-year-old, who coached the Kangaroos to a preliminary final in 2007 during seven years as coach, faced a magistrate court on Sunday on several charges, including one count of stalking.

A premiership player with the Kangaroos in 1996, Laidley did not apply for bail during a brief hearing and was remanded in custody to appear in court on May 11.

Dean Laidley as an assistant coach at Carlton in 2015. Picture: Getty Images

Further detail surrounding the charges against the former West Coast and North Melbourne star will become public at his next court appearance.

Victoria Police confirmed that Laidley, who started his career with West Coast in 1987, was arrested outside an address in St Kilda about 9pm.

“As the matter is before court it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” a police statement said.

Kangaroos teammate Corey McKernan used social media to wish Laidley well.

“Thoughts with a premiership brother tonight. No idea what’s happened or what’s lead (sic) to this but thoughts with you Laids, along with the Shinboner family,” McKernan wrote.

Laidley started his career with West Coast, where he played 55 games, in 1987.

A defender who displayed great courage despite a lean frame, Laidley played 99 games with the Kangaroos and was selected in Western Australia’s state of origin team twice.

After his career at North Melbourne ended, Laidley was an applicant for the Essendon senior role and also considered a contender for other vacant jobs.

Renowned for his tactical ability, he was an assistant coach at Port Adelaide for two years before joining St Kilda and then Carlton.

A father of three, Laidley’s stint with Port Adelaide effectively ended prematurely when he decided to return to Melbourne for family reasons.

More recently, he has coached at suburban level.

The Laidley family were the victims of a savage assault while holidaying in Bali in 2011.

The footballer was smashed over the head with a bottle and required stitches, while his son Kane had his jaw broken and several other family members received severe facial injuries.

Security personnel at a nightclub in Kuta were arrested over the incident.