While he’s disappointed with his senior omission earlier this year, Jeremy Laidler considers that turning point as a blessing in disguise.
The defender, who retired last week after 87 games over a career spanning 10 years, managed three senior appearances in 2017 before finding himself in the reserves and fighting for a senior recall.
Senior football remained the aim but, not through a lack of trying, that goal proved difficult to achieve as the 27-year-old fell victim to the Club’s depth.
Instead of dragging his feet and “sulking” over this misfortune, the 27-year-old got to work and ultimately made the most of what he saw as a “massive” opportunity.
And, it paid dividends, with Laidler appointed as one of two new development coaches for season 2018.
“The last couple of years have been tough but rewarding as well,” Laidler said, who went from playing 16 games last season, including the Grand Final, to a victim of the side’s depth.
“It did hurt, to be honest, when I was dropped, but I suppose if you drop you head and drop you bundle it’s only going to affect yourself.
“The aim was to play AFL and I worked pretty hard with Shawry (Rhyce Shaw) to put things in place to so if I was to get picked again, I was ready to go. And I thought my form in the NEAFL was pretty good for most of the year.
“But it didn’t turn out like that. That’s okay, I’m at peace with that now, because in the NEAFL I was able to develop myself personally like being a leader out on the field and help the young blokes.
“I always had ambitions to be a coach, I just didn’t know when that was going to happen. This year has definitely helped me towards where I want to be.”
Laidler will take charge of the NEAFL Swans alongside 2005 premiership player Tadhg Kennelly in a new-look development office, replacing Shaw and Nick Davis.
Shaw will take on an assistant coaching role and Davis is the new Talent and Development Manager for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.
Recently retired GWS forward Steve Johnson has also joined the senior coaching ranks.
Laidler, who also spent this season working closely with the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, was looking forward to the next chapter of his footballing career.
“Putting up with another Irish accent is going to be a challenge,” Laidler laughed, although half a season decrypting Colin O’Riordan’s brogue in the NEAFL Swans’ backline has prepared him well.
“I can’t wait to sit alongside Tadhg and work closely with the development boys and get them into the senior team which, at the end of the day, everyone wants to do.
“It’ll be such a great reward to see them develop, not only as players, but as men.
“There’ll be a different feel to the coaching group, which is exciting, and I’ll keep working closely with Shawry. I look at how he went straight from playing to coaching, that transition was flawless so I’ll definitely still work with him to get feedback on how I’m going and where I can improve.”
Laidler joined the Sydney Swans in 2014 after stints with Geelong and Carlton.
He played 61 games with the Swans over four seasons, playing a significant role in defence during the 2016 finals campaign.
