Western Bulldogs coach feud with AFL reporter twists after frosty interview

Luke Beveridge has suggested there is still more to come to light about his swipe at an AFL journalist as the pair ended a three-year falling out.

Luke Beveridge and Tom Morris ended their three-year falling out on Tuesday night in icy scenes on live TV.

While the pair broke bread for the first time since the Bulldogs coach’s much-discussed press conference outburst, the premiership-winning coach also dropped a subtle hint there is still more to come to light about his feud with the footy reporter.

Beveridge said he was prepared to move on as he crossed paths with Morris for the first time since 2022 when making a rare appearance on Channel 9.

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The pair famously butted-heads when Beveridge told Morris in the middle of a post-match press conference that he was not welcome after the AFL journalist had earlier reported news about the team’s selections before it had officially been announced.

The 54-year-old coach was furious that team selection news had leaked out before the club’s season-opening game against the Demons.

He labelled the former Fox Footy reporter an “embarrassment” and accused him of “gutter journalism” that was causing turmoil at the Dogs.

Three years later they came face to face on Tuesday.

Beveridge was visibly uncomfortable when the past incident was brought up during Footy Classified and there were several moments where it appeared things were about to turn icy.

Beveridge again eluded to there being more going on behind the scenes after watching the footage of his press conference.

“What happened in the lead up to that game and the tension that’s evident in my voice there and my emotion... that might come out one day, but I definitely didn’t come on the show tonight to discuss that,” he said.

“At the time I apologised quite broadly actually and it was a difficult time because there was a lot of things going on behind the scenes. And obviously there was some history in regards to Tom, but I don’t want to back over it. We’ve moved on from it.”

Tom Morris and Luke Beveridge. Photo: X, Footy on Nine.

He said “time heals all wounds” but also appeared to suggest their relationship is not at that point yet.

“For me at the time, you were the antagonist because I hadn’t done anything other than at that press conference, obviously fire up,” he said.

“Letting you off for what led into that... time heals all wounds. But we’ve still got that time in the future. It’s not now. I don’t think I’ve seen you since then.”

Beveridge went on to say: “Tonight’s not about that detail, it’s the first time I’ve been on Channel 9 in probably since a couple of antagonists moved over to Channel 7.

“I’ve come here tonight to definitely interact and hopefully provide something of value, but the detail in what happened doesn’t help me, it doesn’t help our footy club, I don’t think it really helps you Tom, and I just don’t think we should go there.

“It’s a story for another day. If someone wants to make enquiries outside of this show tonight by all means, but it shouldn’t be aired tonight.”

Beveridge appeared to reference the fact that his long-time critics Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson had left Channel 9 and jumped to Channel 7.

Morris, meanwhile, said there is no angst from him towards Beveridge. He said he had not attended any Western Bulldogs press conferences since that press conference incident.

At the time Caroline Wilson was one of many footy commentators to criticise Beveridge’s behaviour and reported that the Bulldogs coach was at the time struggling with the demands of his job.

Luke Beveridge during his post match press conference tirade. Picture: Twitter

“It is a man who’s clearly not coping. I don’t think he’s equipped to be looking after the futures of 30 young men quite frankly,” she said.

“There’s an issue going on at the Bulldogs and there’s a sign of fragility that concerns me. He’s going to keep coaching, but he needs help because that is not a normal reaction.”

Asked about Wilson’s comments, Beveridge said at the time: “Obviously I put the statement out and then tried to move on pretty quickly.

“I get that it sort of lingers a little bit, but I’m good, I’m really good. I’m energised and looking forward to Thursday night.

“I’ve just got to cop it on the chin, but it’s far from the truth.

“I’ve never been fitter, never felt healthier. I know I’ve been reasonably vocal around what some of the soft cap cuts have done, and now is not the time to talk about that again, but that’s more about my concerns for the code and the industry, not my domain.”

Beveridge’s uncertain future with the Bulldogs has continued to make headlines this year.

He remains without a contract beyond the 2025 season after 11 seasons with the club.

Originally published as Western Bulldogs coach feud with AFL reporter twists after frosty interview