Melbourne AFLW gun Libby Birch responds to critical tweet from former Western Bulldogs coach
Libby Birch says she “didn’t get to sleep at all” after the new Melbourne Demon was criticised on Twitter by her former Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves.
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Melbourne defender Libby Birch has revealed she “didn’t sleep” in the wake of a tweet from her former coach.
Birch said she had not spoken to her ex-Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves since he sent the explosive tweet that she said was “very hurtful”.
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“I haven’t heard from Paul, and I haven’t had the need to speak to him,” she said on Women’s Footy.
“I guess everyone’s entitled to their opinion. Unfortunately I was very, very disappointed that that had to be public and it was very hurtful.
“On that night, I didn’t get to sleep at all … what should have been a celebration of a great team win was soured by that comment personally for me.”
The 22-year-old was the subject of a halftime interview during a recent Western Bulldogs-Melbourne game, where she took a swipe at her old club.
Shortly after, Groves tweeted: “Most selfish player I’ve ever coached. Ungrateful. Cracks were caused by said person. You play footy to create friendships. Shame.”
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Birch crossed to the Demons after three years at the Bulldogs under Groves.
“I’m very happy to be at the Melbourne Demons and I’m surrounded by beautiful people and beautiful coaches.
“Unfortunately it didn’t need to be said publicly. I don’t agree with it, but everyone’s entitled to their opinion.”
Birch said the support she had received from her teammates and others following had been “fantastic”.
“I’m a living and breathing Melbourne Dee now, so there’s an element of just push that to the side and focus on that and that’s what I’ve done over the last couple of weeks,” she said.
Originally published as Melbourne AFLW gun Libby Birch responds to critical tweet from former Western Bulldogs coach