Speaking after the Kangaroos comfortably defeated Melbourne by 53 points at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon, Laidley said his men produced the type of performance that was needed before its round one clash against Essendon on Monday, March 24.
"I thought that our intensity was really good and it was just pleasing to get to the last practice game and not lose anyone," Laidley said.
"The last two years in the last practice games, we've lost Jesse Smith for the year and 'Thommo' [Nathan Thompson] for the year, so to get out of it injury free was pleasing."
On Thompson, Laidley said the key forward was working hard to get back into the game after a year on the sidelines, due to a knee injury.
"'Thommo' is still finding his feet a bit and we know it's going to be a tough gig for him, but I thought his work-rate was terrific," Laidley said.
But one of the most pleasing aspects for Laidley over the pre-season has been the continued development of Hamish McIntosh, who was unlucky to be overlooked for All-Australian selection last year.
Laidley believes McIntosh and David Hale will be a ruck force to be reckoned with in 2008.
"He's [McIntosh] had a terrific pre-season and I think him and Hale have taken a big step forward in their development," Laidley said.
"They're going to be a pretty deadly duo, hopefully, so it's really positive that you put a lot of time and effort into their development and they're really starting to come through."
Emerging Roos Matt Campbell and Lindsay Thomas, who both kicked two goals each against Melbourne, again impressed and Laidley is optimistic the goalsneaks will push further up the ground this year.
"We've given them a little bit more time in the midfield because we think that that's where we want to take them and I thought Ben Ross just showed a little bit and will probably take over the roles that they played last year," Laidley said.
"That was pleasing as well."
As for looking ahead to the clash against the Bombers, Laidley said several in-form players would be disappointed with being overlooked for the opening round.
"I think there are going to be three, four or maybe five players that are going to be pretty disappointed I would've thought that they don't get a look in, in round one, but it's only the beginning of the marathon, isn't it?" Laidley said.
