Melbourne will consider St Kilda assistant Dean Laidley to fill its vacant senior coaching position. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: HeraldSun
FORMER North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley is the latest name to emerge as a contender for the Melbourne coaching job.
The Demons have had preliminary contact with Laidley's management, and regard the St Kilda assistant coach as a legitimate candidate when the five-man sub-committee begins interviewing for the position.
Laidley (right), 46, has spent the past two years as the Saints' midfield coach, but comes out of contract at the end of the season.
Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson was not interested in discussing specific candidates, saying the process of finding a new coach was in its infancy.
"We are looking at all the options and candidates that are best fit for the Melbourne Football Club," Jackson said.
"There is no need to rush into anything. Most people we have considered represent clubs that will be participating in finals campaigns, so naturally we will need to respect the AFLCA (AFL Coaches' Association) protocol with regards to that."
Melbourne's first choice to replace sacked coach Mark Neeld was Paul Roos, who has declared he is not interested at this stage.
Melbourne has also had contact with Collingwood football and coaching strategist Rodney Eade and Richmond development coach Mark Williams, both of whom are likely to be focused on their own teams in September.
Jackson said recently that the Demons "intend to explore a range of options including (former Adelaide coach and Melbourne interim coach) Neil Craig".
Laidley was a contender for the Essendon job in 2011 before James Hird decided to take on the task, and meets the criteria laid down by Melbourne of a proven coach with previous involvement in a successful club culture.
He led North in 149 games from 2003-09, rebuilding the list after the departure of several club greats and lifting it from 14th in 2006 to a preliminary final in 2007.
The former defender's 151-game playing career included being a member of the Kangaroos' 1996 premiership team and 14 games in West Coast's 1992 title season.
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