Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge finally breaks silence over press conference scandal

Under fire Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has spoken publicly as reports emerged of extraordinary drama playing out behind the scenes.

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

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has issued an official apology to football reporter Tom Morris.

Beveridge on Wednesday shocked the footy world with a heated, personal attack on the Fox Footy journalist following a report star midfielder Lachie Hunter was set to be axed from the season-opener.

After initially being named in the team, Hunter was booted from the starting 22 and named the medical substitute, before finally being included at the very last minute after Jason Johannisen picked up a leg injury in the warm-up.

In his post-match press conference, Beveridge confirmed Morris was correct when he reported earlier this week that Hunter had been told he would not be selected in the starting 22. Beveridge was clearly furious about inside information being leaked to reporters.

Beveridge blew up in the post-match press conference after his team’s loss to the Demons and accused Morris of “gutter journalism” before he stormed off by saying “you’re a disgrace”.

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was left “stunned” and said he could not believe what he was seeing when speaking on Fox Footy following Beveridge’s outburst.

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Beveridge has now backflipped to release an extensive apology and was filmed making the apology in a video released by the football club on Thursday evening.

Luke Beveridge's apology video on the club website.

The Bulldogs have also announced the club is making an additional donation of $20,000 to youth mental health charity Orygen.

The AFL has also released a brief statement after a full day of silence to announce the league will take no action against Beveridge.

It comes as Fox Footy confirmed Morris has been stood down over allegations he made offensive comments in a WhatsApp group chat that have now been leaked.

Reports continue to swirl about the drama that has played out behind the scenes as the league was plunged into chaos on Thursday.

Channel 9 sports presenter Tony Jones reported Thursday evening the AFL was privately “not impressed at all”.

He also reported Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Baines had reached out to offer Morris a personal apology.

Baines told 3AW on Thursday night the club had spoken to Morris on Thursday morning to make an apology and “clear the air”.

Baines dodged a question when asked if the club or Beveridge will be paying for the $20,000 donation.

Full statement from Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge

I have reflected on my comments and actions from the post-game press conference after last night’s game and acknowledge that my exchange with journalist Tom Morris overstepped the mark.

I want to apologise for my behaviour. I want to apologise to Tom Morris and all those present last night and to our members, supporters, partners and the wider football community.

We have strong values at the Bulldogs that we all sign up to. They are values that I believe in and support and live. My actions last night were not consistent with those values or the way we go about business as a football club, or I go about life as an individual.

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

I recognised that what I did was not okay. It was not representative of our club culture which is so special and means so much to me. While I was highly emotional in the moments after a difficult loss, it is no excuse to let those emotions spill over and get the better of me.

As people would know, I am extremely passionate about, and protective of, our players and our people, and I always have their welfare and their best interests at heart. I pride myself on being measured and thoughtful, however on this occasion I clearly didn’t handle it the way I should have, and I understand and accept that.

The last thing I want is for my actions to reflect negatively on the Western Bulldogs Football Club and our culture. As I’ve said many times, I want our members and supporters to be proud of their Club on and off the field and to be proud of the way we conduct ourselves at all times, and I’ll continue to strive for that.

I take accountability for my actions. We will work through that as a club and I will focus on getting the best out of the team for the remainder of the season, and my energies will be centred on preparing our players for our next game against Carlton.

Full statement from Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler

The Western Bulldogs Football Club cannot and does not condone senior coach Luke Beveridge’s handling of his post-game press conference exchange with Tom Morris last night. The Club sincerely apologises to Tom for the incident. It is important to us that Tom is ok.

Our CEO Ameet Bains and I have had extensive and frank discussions with Luke today. From the very beginning of those discussions this morning, Luke made clear that he understood his behaviour was inappropriate and he is deeply remorseful.

Senior Coach of the Bulldogs Luke Beveridge. Photo by Michael Klein,

Luke also understands that his conduct in the press conference was not reflective of the values of the Western Bulldogs and has shone a negative light on the Club. Everyone is entitled to a respectful workplace and we acknowledge the important and sometimes difficult job the football media have to do.

In addition to Luke’s formal apology, the Club has agreed with the AFL to donate $20,000 to Orygen, a key partner of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, to assist Orygen with the important work it does in youth mental health.

Luke is a man of strong integrity who leads with heart and soul, caring deeply for everyone at the Western Bulldogs. His passion crossed a line last night and he is aware of that. As a Club, we commit to a thorough process of internal assessment to ensure better outcomes in the future.

Luke is a much loved and valued leader within our club. Our role as a Board, as a management group and as a club as a whole, is to support Luke through the incredible pressures and emotions of the AFL industry as it exists today. We will continue to provide Luke with the resources, guidance and support he needs to perform in his role at the highest level of professionalism.

Full AFL statement

The AFL acknowledges that Western Bulldogs Senior Coach Luke Beveridge has today reflected on his actions last night and taken accountability for his behaviour in the post-game press conference last night.

A press conference environment, regardless of the emotion that football can evoke, should always be a professional environment where all participants engage in a respectful manner – this clearly wasn’t acceptable or appropriate conduct last night.

The AFL acknowledges the formal apology from Luke Beveridge and endorsed the club’s $20,000 donation to Orygen, a key partner of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, to assist Orygen with the important work it does in youth mental health.