Danielle Laidley was absolutely glowing at the premiere of her new documentary on Monday.
The former AFL great was proudly supported by her son, Kane Laidley, at the first screening for the Stan Original documentary, Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes in Melbourne.
The 56-year-old also looked loved-up as she posed alongside her loyal childhood sweetheart Donna Leckie on the red carpet.
Dani stunned in a deep purple gown with a corseted bodice that accentuated her bust.
The regal velvet dress featured silken piping, a square neckline and flowing princess sleeves.
Danielle Laidley (pictured) was absolutely glowing at the premiere of her new documentary in Melbourne on Monday
It also included gathering at the waist and a thigh-high split that offered a glimpse at Dani’s trim pins.
She added a pair of strappy heels the to the ensemble and opted for a glamorous makeup look with a sheer pink lip gloss.
Dani finished her look by adding a pair of gold, dangling statement earrings and wearing her long, blonde locks down around her face.
Son Kane, who Dani shares with former wife, Melbourne businesswoman Joanne Laidley, looked smart in a slim-fit black suit paired with a white shirt, tie and leather dress shoes.
The former AFL great was proudly supported by her son, Kane Laidley (right), at the first screening for the Stan Original documentary, Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes
The 56-year-old also looked loved-up as she posed alongside her loyal childhood sweetheart Donna Leckie (left) on the red carpet
Dani stunned in a deep purple gown with a corseted bodice that accentuated her bust
Also on hand to show his support was chief executive officer of the Australian Football League, Gillon McLachlan (right)
TV star Eddie McGuire (right) was among those on hand to stand by Dani’s side
Donna meanwhile looked just as glam as her partner in a flowing white gown with an oversized belt accent.
The pair shared a passionate smooch on the red carpet as they celebrated the launch of the revealing film.
The couple, who had been childhood partners both at primary and high school, reconnected in 2017, and rekindled their romance in 2021.
Also on hand to show his support was chief executive officer of the Australian Football League, Gillon McLachlan, and TV star Eddie McGuire.
It comes after Laidley revealed the huge risk she took while she was still hiding her true self from family, friends and footy stars while she was coaching at North Melbourne.
Donna looked just as glam as her partner in a flowing white gown with an oversized belt accent
Dani’s regal velvet dress featured silken piping, a square neckline and flowing princess sleeves
Dani shared a laugh with guests on the red carpet
Dani finished her look by adding a pair of gold, dangling statement earrings
The new Stan Original documentary Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes shows Dani meeting former teammates and players for the first time since her struggle with her gender identity and transition to a woman became public knowledge.
Laidley receives a warm and emotional welcome from footy greats Peter Bell, Matthew ‘Spider’ Burton and Adam Simpson, with the latter welcoming her to his house with a kiss on the cheek and the words, ‘Been a long time, mate.’
The former North Melbourne teammates from the club’s golden years in the 1990s are joined by two players Laidley coached – Drew Petrie and Daniel Pratt – for a very eye-opening chat.
During the get-together the former Kangaroos star and coach reveals she used to flirt with revealing her true identity when she was leading the club from 2003 to 2009.
Son Kane, who Dani shares with former wife, Melbourne businesswoman Joanne Laidley, looked smart in a slim-fit black suit paired with a white shirt, tie and leather dress shoes
The purple frock included gathering at the waist and a thigh-high split that offered a glimpse at Dani’s trim pins
The blonde chose a smoky lilac eye shadow look that matched her frock
‘I used to go out when I was coaching, and I knew it was high-risk,’ she tells her mates before explaining that she was dressed to reflect her true gender identity at the time.
‘What were you doing?’ Pratt asks. ‘Were you just being yourself?’
‘No, I was being my real self – me,’ Laidley replies, pointing to her heart.
‘I always felt on the inside how I appear now on the outside – always,’ she continues.
‘I haven’t heard you talk this much, ever,’ Pratt observes.
‘You know why?’ Laidley replies. ‘This is therapeutic for me.
‘I’ve never been able to sit down in my life and talk about everything in my life.
‘It’s been so segmented, Pratty, and that’s why it’s been so difficult. So what you see now, is me.’
Eddie and Dani shared a friendly moment as they posed for photos together
Dani opted for a glamorous makeup look with a sheer pink lip gloss
The Stan Original documentary Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes premieres September 19 only on Stan
Donna and Dani, who had been childhood partners both at primary and high school, reconnected in 2017, and rekindled their romance in 2021
It’s just one of several poignant moments the group share with Laidley as she opens up about the price of hiding footy’s biggest secret from those she was closest to.
‘Any stress or when the gender stuff would raise its head and you have to deal with it, I would stick my head into my career,’ she tells the group.
‘I was with my counsellor one day and it just came out and I was just like, “Oh f**k.”‘
‘Got diagnosed with gender dysphoria, which I’ve carried forever, for as long as I can remember.’
At one point, Peter Bell tell her everyone in the room just wants her to be happy, before Burton asks if she has any regrets.
It shows Dani meeting former teammates and players for the first time since her struggle with her gender identity and transition to a woman became public knowledge
In 2020, Dani’s life spiralled out of control when she was arrested under accusations of stalking amid a battle with drug addiction
An emotional Laidley says, ‘The only thing I regret, Spi, is how it’s come out, and it’s driven my daughters away from me.’
The documentary also uncovers the shocking way her children found out she had transitioned, as well as the harrowing moment she recounts her suicide attempt.
In 2020, Dani’s life spiralled out of control when she was arrested under accusations of stalking amid a battle with drug addiction.
A Victorian police officer leaked photos to the media of Dani in custody, which publicly outed her before she came out to other family members and friends.
In the anticipated documentary, she candidly speaks about her life as a closeted transgender woman in the AFL, her arrest, and how she has found her true self over the past three years.
Laidley was born Dean James Laidey and played 151 AFL games for West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne before carving out a 149-game coaching career with the Kangaroos. Laidley is pictured in 1998
‘It’s with nervous anticipation that I share my story with Australia – it hasn’t been the easiest path, but I’ve made some treasured memories along the way, and met some incredible people,’ Dani says.
‘This story won’t pull any punches; you’ll see me at my lowest points and at my highest, surrounded by those whom I care about most who stood by me through it all.
‘My truth is becoming an increasingly common one in today’s society, and highlights the need for greater inclusivity, understanding and acceptance.’
Laidley was born Dean James Laidey and played 151 AFL games for West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne before carving out a 149-game coaching career with the Kangaroos.
While it was only six years ago that Laidley got a formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria and only 2020 when the transition process began, it’s something Laidley has carried with her for a long time.
Stan’s documentary (pictured) uncovers the shocking way Laidley’s children found out she had transitioned
‘My first recollection is about six years of age, way, way back,’ Laidley told Triple M in June 2022.
‘Now I am 55, so what is that, 49 years, god.
‘It was really difficult to know that I felt so different on the inside to what was on the outside and then, given that I started playing league footy when I was in high school, to have this persona, and some called me the Junkyard Dog back in the day, it was so far removed from the person I really was and that was very difficult and it took its toll.
‘I felt like I was walking around with a boat anchor on my head for many, many years, but I was too scared, ashamed, embarrassed to go and find out about it, but I knew there was something different about how I was feeling.’
The Stan Original documentary Revealed – Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes premieres September 19 only on Stan.
