AFL legend Dani Laidley pays tribute to her new girlfriend by wearing 'D' ...

AFL footy great Dani Laidley has paid tribute to her new lover by sporting earrings in her honour during a visit to her former footy club. 

Laidley, who played in a premiership winning team with the Kangaroos, returned to the North Melbourne Football Club to celebrate it officially becoming debt free after years of turmoil. 

The ex-coach brought along her latest girlfriend 'Donna', who has stood by her during recent controversies, including an appearance at court this month. 

Laidley has not been seen publicly with the Kangaroos since being outed as transgender last year by members of Victoria Police.

The former footballer, who coached the club from 2003 to 2009, wore a leopard skin printed shirt, gold-rimmed glasses and matching earrings sporting the letter 'D' - believed to be in tribute to her new girlfriend. 

The 54-year old mingled with some of her former teammates at a media conference on Friday where the Kangaroos announced they had paid off a debt that had been hanging over its head since 1987. 

'(I’m) very happy to be here, very proud of the efforts and what has been achieved by everyone to look back now and say the right decision was made (to stay in Melbourne),' Laidley told the gathering.

In a gushing speech, Laidley praised her former club for the positive impact it had had on her since her move from the West Coast Eagles in 1993.

Laidley played 52 games with the Eagles from 1987 to 1992 before joining the Kangaroos. 

Laidley used the opportunity to promote transgender awareness, which she referred to as her 'other tribe'. 

'The club impacted my life in more ways than one,' she said. 

'Every Shinboner supporter should be proud today. 

'It’s great being back at the North Melbourne Football Club for this important announcement of being debt free, also on the back of Transgender awareness week, as I am proud of both of my tribes.'