The Kangaroos will be missing skipper Brent Harvey (elbow) and promising defender Lachie Hansen (hamstring) for their clash with the Pies and Laidley said he was yet to decide who would replace the injured duo.
“We’ll have to have a look,” Laidley said ahead of training at Arden Street on Thursday morning.
“Through adversity comes opportunity and whether they are experienced or whether they are young it will be a great opportunity for them to play on Friday night.”
There was brighter news regarding the injuries to Harvey and Hansen, with Laidley dismissing suggestions Hansen had been close to tearing the hamstring from the bone.
Laidley said Hansen would miss between four and six weeks – and not up to eight weeks as had been reported – while Harvey’s surgery to repair his dislocated elbow had gone well.
“Everything’s fine. He’ll be out for the full 12 weeks, but the surgery went really well,” Laidley said of Harvey.
“He’s a little bit sore. I spoke to him this morning and he wants to come to the footy tomorrow night, so we’ll just see how he goes with his pain.”
The Roos will be missing much-needed pace from their line-up when they take on Collingwood.
Harvey, Matt Campbell (hamstring) and Daniel Wells (hip), who the coach said was a 50-50 chance at best to resume against Port Adelaide in round seven, will all be missing.
But he is confident that as long as his team brings the work rate it did last season when it beat the Magpies twice, it can match Mick Malthouse’s side.
“We’ve got what we’ve got [in terms of speed], we can’t wave the magic wand,” he said.
“But I’m sure if we put a lot of pressure on, we out-contest the football and give our forwards an opportunity … that’s all we can ask.
“Collingwood are a hard-working side and if you don’t work hard they’ll get you.”
Meanwhile, the coach said he would be happy to see club great and former teammate Wayne Carey inducted into the AFL’s Hall of Fame.
North Melbourne president James Brayshaw has called for Carey’s inclusion this year, and Laidley said he also thought the man who led the Kangaroos to two premierships ought to be duly recognised.
“He’s been our best player at our football club,” Laidley said.
“If that warrants him being selected this year or next year, I think he deserves to be in there.
“But that’s up to the selectors as to when to put him in.”
