Peter Gordon’s decision to extend Luke Beveridge’s contract early looks a masterstroke

THE millions paid to Tom Boyd have been vindicated and now Peter Gordon’s decision to extend Luke Beveridge’s contract early looks a masterstroke.

Luke Beveridge will be at the Bulldogs until at least 2020. Picture: Getty Images

THE millions paid to Tom Boyd have been vindicated and now Peter Gordon’s decision to extend Luke Beveridge’s contract early looks a masterstroke.

In August the Bulldogs president extended Beveridge’s deal a season early, tying him away until the end of 2020.

Beveridge would be paid a fraction of the wage high-profile coaches Paul Roos and Alastair Clarkson have been able to command.

With half a dozen coaches under severe pressure next year Beveridge would have been hot property at a handful of clubs.

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But the inspired decision to extend his deal was only made possible because of his loyalty to the club and its mission.

He would have received a pay rise under the deal, with most coaches have premiership bonuses of up to $250,000 written into their deal.

He said at last Tuesday’s Coaches Association ceremony his negotiation with Gordon was short and sweet.

Luke Beveridge and Robert Murphy at the Bulldogs’ premiership celebrations. Picture: Getty Images

“I sat down with Peter Gordon and discussed it halfway through my second year,’’ he said.

“We felt like it was our time (to win as much as anyone. But what was on the table I was more than happy with. There was no negotiation,’’ he said.

“Peter told me what I was getting and it worked out well.”

At that ceremony Beveridge was named the AFL’s coach of the year for the second time in as many years at the Dogs.

The Dogs’ profit figure will also be boosted by $1.21 million of AFL prize money for the premiership as well as huge merchandise sales.

Gordon announced a record profit of $388,000 last year as well as record club revenue of $41,321,293.

Originally published as Peter Gordon’s decision to extend Luke Beveridge’s contract early looks a masterstroke