Port moves on Laidley to coach
The Age
Friday September 4, 2009
DEAN Laidley has emerged as a potential successor to Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams, being sought by the Power as effectively its match-day coach.While Laidley would officially be an assistant to Williams, in a radical move the former North Melbourne coach would effectively take the reins of the senior team from the coaching box on match day. Laidley has already had discussions with Williams about the role, and will fly to Adelaide on Tuesday to meet Williams and other Port officials.While Laidley is yet to decide whether he wants the job, Williams is believed to be very enthusiastic on the idea, which would utilise Laidley's highly regarded tactical and strategic abilities in the coach's box, while Williams assumed more managerial responsibilities.But the potential appointment also fuels speculation about a succession plan for Williams, who agreed to sign a new two-year deal to coach the Power only after protracted negotiations.Port had sounded out former premiership defender Damien Hardwick about a position as an eventual successor to Williams, before Hardwick was appointed Richmond coach last week.Reports persist of troubled relations between Williams and the club administration, while the Power has been bitterly disappointing on the field this season, not only finishing outside the top eight, but thrashed by 50 points or more seven times.Laidley confirmed both the role and Port's interest in him to The Age last night, and said the meeting on Tuesday would clarify his position."I've spoken to Mark several times about it over the last few weeks, and I'm going over there to sit down with him and the others to see how it's all going to work," he said.The Port Adelaide offer presents the most obvious chance for Laidley to return to the senior coaching fold following his resignation from North in June, after 6 seasons in charge of the Roos. But it's far from his only job opportunity.Laidley has been eagerly sought by Hawthorn, which is also keen on harnessing his analytical abilities. He has also spoken to Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions about potential roles, while Laidley's management has made contact with Carlton about a potential involvement in 2010.There could also be an opportunity for him to pursue development work with the AFL in Sydney.The former North coach, who led the Roos into the finals three times in his past four completed years as coach, spent several weeks overseas after quitting the Roos' job, but has been actively pursuing work since his return.While in his early years with North there were reservations about his capacity to present effectively as the public face of the club, there were never any about Laidley's talents as a strategist. Coaching peers regularly lauded his ability to manipulate the talent at his disposal to maximum effect during a game.His appointment to Port would be a badly needed boost at Alberton Oval, where the club this week began the process of sifting through the wreckage of season 2009, starting with chairman Brett Duncanson addressing players and staff immediately after the Power's final-round loss to North Melbourne.The Power could lose two other assistant coaches, with Jason Cripps and Matthew Primus reported to be considering their positions. Primus has been linked with North Melbourne under new coach Brad Scott.
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