Laidley joins Port Adelaide

FORMER North Melbourne mentor Dean Laidley will continue his AFL coaching career after agreeing to join Port Adelaide on a two-year deal.

Laidley has been assigned a special “strategy and innovation” role with the Power, but will also play his part on match-day, aiding Matthew Primus as the midfield coach.

Port Adelaide toyed with the idea of a succession plan after re-appointing Mark Williams earlier this year, but shelved those plans once Damien Hardwick opted to coach Richmond. Succession has not been discussed with Laidley.

Laidley, considered one of the game’s finest tacticians and match-day coaches in the game, would seemingly tick many boxes should Port Adelaide hope to find its next coach from its assistants.

In seven seasons at North Melbourne, Laidley coached 148 matches, with his teams playing finals in three of his final four completed seasons in charge.

He opted not to reapply for the main job at the Kangaroos earlier this season, stepping aside after the round 12 loss to Adelaide.

Assistant Darren Crocker took over for the remainder of the season before new coach Brad Scott was appointed to lead the club on a three-year deal.

Laidley and Williams will front the media shortly. Stay tuned to afl.com.au for all the comments from the pair.