Controversies
During a 2006 match against St Kilda, a Kangaroos supporter had a confrontation with Laidley during a period of consistently poor performances. The supporter twice made remarks to which Laidley responded with an honest summation "we are all hurting", later inviting the supporter to the club rooms to see how badly the players were feeling due to their onfield performance. The footage was captured on television and broadcast nationally. The supporter committed suicide later that night in the path of an oncoming train due to a gambling-related depressive illness. The man's family stated the death was unrelated to the incident with Laidley.
In 2007, former Kangaroos' star Wayne Carey criticised Laidley and argued that another former team-mate, John Longmire, should replace him as coach. Laidley's contract was due for renewal at the end of 2007. After a forthright response by Laidley that referenced Carey's personal scandals, Carey responded by describing him as arrogant. On 16 June 2009, Laidley stepped down as coach explaining that he felt he could not take the group any further.
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