Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says tactical sub calls are becoming hard

Toby McLean sat on the bench as an unused substitute last weekend and it’s a rule coach Luke Beveridge says remains problematic.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge . (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has put the “mental health” aspect of having to sub someone out of a game on the agenda as he confirmed Tom Liberatore should return for Saturday’s grudge match against the Giants after recovering from concussion.

Toby McLean went unused as a substitute last week and Beveridge, who was an advocate for a five-man bench rather than four and a sub, said the issue of taking players out of games for tactical reasons remained a tough one for him.

“I hate the fact that he didn’t play at all,” Beveridge said on Thursday.

“But also what we’ve got to consider is every time you see a player sit down from a tactical point of view, how hard it is for the player, and the spotlight is on him in a time where we’re concerned about mental health more than any other time.

“Players getting subbed out of the game at different times is a huge challenge for the player in particular, for the team and absolutely from a people management perspective.

“I hate the decision you have to make, and we;ll absolutely make it where we need to.

“At the start I was advocating for just having five (on the bench) and no sub because that means it wasn’t so crystallised and so glaring, and you can manage the five accordingly.

“But it is what it is and Toby will be ok this week.”

Toby McLean didn’t get a second of game time last week. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Liberatore returns to add to a Bulldogs midfield that Beveridge says is sharing responsibility nicely as they hunt a return to the top eight with a win against GWS.

Beveridge said he was pleased by the Bulldogs’ midfield performance without Liberatore in the 29-point win over Hawthorn, with star Marcus Bontempelli subjected to a heavy tag and down on his usual impact.

He praised the efforts of Caleb Daniel (27 disposals, six clearances) and Bailey Smith, who started quietly but gathered 15 second-half possessions as the Bulldogs reeled in significant early deficits in clearances and contested ball.

Clearance king Tom Liberatore is expected to be fit to face the Giants at Manuka Oval on Saturday. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

“(Liberatore) should be OK, he’s got an important session (Thursday morning), but it’s the last little tick off – he should be OK. All the signs are good,” Beveridge said.

“Their blend through their midfield brigade has been quite strong and performed well up to expectations – I was really pleased last week that we spread the load through there.

“I thought Caleb’s game was influential, Adam Treloar’s having a tremendous year, really got going in the second half, and Bailey Smith and Jack Macrae made pivotal contributions through there as well on a day where Marcus probably wasn’t as prolific as he has been.”

The Bulldogs are on the hunt for a third consecutive victory against fierce rivals GWS, but Beveridge said although there were significant personnel changes this year, there was still “some stimulus for rivalry”.

“There’s been some great history there … I think no matter who you play each week, there’s always something in the past that’s happened,” he said.

“Interestingly enough, from when we played GWS last time, they’ll probably have 10 different players, we’re likely to have nine or 10, so each time you play there’s a fresh set of faces and guys who haven’t experienced playing against GWS.”