CEO backs Beveridge after outburst

WESTERN Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains has addressed concerns over Luke Beveridge’s mental state, saying the Dogs have no reasons to think he won’t coach next round.

It comes after Beveridge sprayed Fox Sports journalist Tom Morris in a press conference after his side’s first round loss to Melbourne.

Seemingly unprompted, the premiership coach targeted Morris for his “gutter journalism” over a story he aired on Monday about Lachie Hunter being dropped.

It was an incident that shocked the footy world due to its ferocity and unprovoked nature, and Beveridge has apologised via a video shared by the Bulldogs.

Speaking on Sportsday, Bains confirmed that Beveridge is “genuinely remorseful” over his actions.

“I think you could tell from Luke’s genuine emotion in his voice the impact that it’s had on him as he’s reflected on it today,” he said.

“I spent quite a bit of time with him this morning and he’s genuinely remorseful.

“From our club perspective, we take full accountability for what happened as well.

“Luke is a strong leader of our football club, he’s one of us and represents us, so in that context, the club needs to stand up and take accountability for what’s happened as well, not just the individual.”

The outburst has prompted many concerns over Beveridge’s mental state.

Mark Robinson in the Herald Sun and Caroline Wilson writing for The Age both penned columns on questioning whether Beveridge should be coaching if he is teeing off over a minor story.

Bains admitted he was concerned by what he saw due to it being “out of character” for Beveridge, but is confident in his coach going forward.

“I can understand the element of questioning that, but we don’t have any doubts about him being in the right frame of mind to coach the team in an ongoing basis,” he said.

“It was inappropriate, the club has made a statement on that as well in addition to Luke’s formal apology, but we don’t think it has any longer-term ramifications for his ability to coach the team against Carlton next Thursday or beyond.”

Despite the upfront answers, Bains refused to be drawn into why Beveridge went on his rampage, suggesting the club didn’t want to make excuses while hinting there were things not yet heard by the public.

However, he was clear in wanting to address the leaks that had Beveridge on edge earlier in the week.

“That is something that we clearly need to run our attention to and have been frankly for the past few days,” Bains said.

“The reality of it with all clubs, and we see a lot of these things happening particularly around selection, I think.

“Most clubs if not all clubs across the year, that information gets shared across the large playing group who then at different times talk to family, talk to friends, talk to managers, talk to partners, so the circle as to who might have that knowledge over time grows exponentially.

“So it does becomes very difficult, (but) there’s nothing to suggest anyone is doing this maliciously either, which is the thing we need to keep in mind.

“An innocent conservation can often lead to things.”

The Bulldogs have committed to donating $20,000 to youth mental health organisation Orygen, and Bains added it was not yet clear if Beveridge or the club would be behind the donation.

He also confirmed the club rang Morris earlier on Thursday to apologise.

– BY SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN

(leankitchenco)