Luke Beveridge refuses to contain Bulldogs fans’ overflowing emotion ahead of Grand Final
LUKE Beveridge refuses to contain 55 years of overflowing emotion from his club’s supporters, adamant it is powering his side’s premiership charge.
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LUKE Beveridge refuses to contain 55 years of overflowing emotion from his club’s supporters, adamant it is powering his side’s premiership charge.
The Dogs’ rooms last week were an extraordinary sight, with players, directors and past and current presidents weeping.
Some critics have wondered if the emotional nature of the club’s finals charge will overcome or distract the club from its premiership tilt.
But Beveridge said the players were rejoicing in the history they were making, including snapping a run of seven preliminary final losses.
Beveridge said defender Matt Suckling has overcome Achilles pain and dismissed suggestions he was dropped for team balance last week, adamant he would have played if fit.
That means the second-year coach is dreading the prospect of dropping a player like Fletcher Roberts.
Yet the tear-stained narrative of the Dogs surge is not something he is keen to stifle.
“I have been here for five minutes. Just two years as a senior coach and you can only think about your supporters who have supported the club since 1961,” Beveridge said.
“And the height of their emotions after the game, it’s hard to get a perspective on that. You can see it, it’s palpable.
And the height of their emotions after the game, it’s hard to get a perspective on that. You can see it, it’s palpable.
Luke Beveridge
“We really enjoyed seeing that emotion spill out and inside the inner sanctum it was quite a scene too.
“Our players understand they have blazed a new trail, they have got the preliminary final monkey off our backs as well. But it appears they are grounded and strongly focused on the Swans this week.”
Beveridge, announced on Tuesday as the Coaches Association Coach of the Year, revealed the victory had also impacted his own family deeply.
“My youngest was really emotional after Saturday night. I had this five-minute message on my voicemail which was beautiful from young (15-year-old) Noah.
“He was really emotional. That was beautiful. My two sons are our priority and Ky was fortunate enough to play in the Sandy Dragons premiership so it’s been a big week from my family’s perspective.”
Beveridge expects Jordan Roughead to play, and said Suckling’s Achilles had pulled up well after flaring up after the win over Hawthorn.
“It did get a lot worse. He had played a really strong game but he went a bit harder with his preparation.
“As much as he felt better going into the game what he did with his volume and speed it flared up a little bit too much. He definitely would have played last week if he was OK.”
The former St Bedes Mentone amateur coach says he knows a discussion which could break the heart of an overlooked players is looming.
“I experienced at local level the challenge and heartache of telling a young guy he missed out on the opportunity to play in a Grand Final.
“Even though it’s a higher level it’s not less raw than it is at community level when you look into a fella’s eyes and tell him he’s not playing.
“So if that comes about I will confront that but that’s probably what has to happen in Grand Final week.”
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