Legend’s call out Luke Beveridge’s bizarre remarks as pressure mount

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been put on blast by several legends of the game over questionable post-game comments.

Legends called out Bevo's remarks

The knives are well and truly out for Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.

Beveridge attracted widespread condemnation from footy fans on Friday night after he elected to name running defender Bailey Dale as the starting substitute.

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The call to put one of the club’s best playmakers as the sub didn’t sit well with footy fans as several greats of the game called out the under fire coach.

Port Adelaide premiership star Kane Cornes put Beveridge on blast over comments he made during his post game press conference.

“When I talk to our supporters I talk to them about the possibilities and even though we’re evolving and there are some changes within personnel at different times and the players themselves have created an internal pressure for spots,” Beveridge said.

“That’s all OK if you end up being a formidable team. Right now we’re not. But whether or not there is any pain as we evolve and move into the future, because it is all about the now and what’s up next and what’s up next year. History is history.”

Beveridge said a lot without saying much. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Cornes didn’t hold back as he took aim at the under fire Bulldogs coach and delivered a brutal clip.

“I feel like I need a translator after listening to that,” Cornes said.

“I don’t understand what was said in that minute or so that we just heard from Luke Beveridge.

“It has to be better because if I’m a Western Bulldogs fan, I’m going ‘what is going on with our side? How does the coach see us? Are we in it for the now, the future or the past?’

“Because he covered all three things without addressing any of them.

“Cleary there is a divide between coaching and list management because Bailey Dale has been signed for five years and he’s a sub.

“Caleb Daniel is on big money, as you told us Damo (Damian Barrett), long term. Jack Macrae signed for long term.

Caleb Daniel playing in the VFL. Pic: Michael Klein

“Is there a disconnect between coaching and list management? Is there a disconnect between where the board sees the club because they have said top four.

“Luke Beveridge continually hints this list isn’t good enough to compete.

“But once again you’re playing against Essendon who didn’t play finals last year and are without their best forward, they’re missing a number of key position players out of the side.

“You’re in that game and you get blown away once again and you’re unable to halt momentum.

“I thought, if I’m a Western Bulldogs fan, where does the coach see us. Are we in it for right

now or do we need to go through a rebuild? I don’t see that as being a fact. Really highly confusing stuff once again from Luke Beveridge.”

Kane Cornes went after Bevo. Credit: Channel 9.

The press conference remarks didn’t go down well with AFL legend Leigh Matthews who said the messaging from Beveridge could be causing confusion among the playing group.

“That’s the public narrative you do in the post-match press conference,” Matthews said on Channel 9’s Footy Furnace.

“You always have to remind yourself as a coach, you’re talking to your players. You’re partly talking to your fans and the media but you’re mainly talking to your players.

“And if you have mixed messages in that forum about why are we playing these next generation players instead of the Bailey Dale’s and Caleb Daniel’s, why are we doing that?

“Every player thinks ‘aren’t we trying to win this week?’. And the narrative about trying to win this week, the words are being said but I’m not sure whether the actions are following that.”

Leigh Matthews said the coach was sending mixed messages. Credit: Channel 9.

Three-time premiership star Jimmy Bartel said the current list is good enough for the Dogs to be pushing for a deep September run.

“I’d be wanting to win now. You just look at who is running out there at the moment, they’ve got a player who wer’re talking about could be the greatest Bulldog ever in the Bont … capitalise on him now,” Bartel said.

“Libba is playing as good a footy as he’s ever played, he wouldn’t want to be thinking that you’re looking ahead to two years from now.

“You’ve got emerging generational talent in (Jamarra) Ugle-Hagan and (Sam) Darcy could be anything.

“You’ve got All-Australian ruckman in (Tim) English, All-Australian backs in (Bailey) Dale and (Caleb) Daniel.

“Why aren’t you trying to win the premiership this year?”