AFL grand final: Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge warns emotions will ‘spill out’ on the day

Two weeks is a long time to wait for the grand final, and the message on how to handle the build-up is clear.

Bailey Smith (left) and Easton Wood celebrate the Western Bulldogs making the AFL grand final . Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has urged his players to “hold” the emotion set to spill out on grand final day as they wait two weeks for their premiership D-Day against Melbourne.

In an emotional post-match address to his men, in the wake of his team’s crushing defeat of Port Adelaide last Saturday night, Beveridge was effusive in his praise for the “phenomenal care” they had shown to take the hard road to the AFL decider.

Having traversed the country from Launceston to Brisbane, then to Adelaide via Perth, the Bulldogs could be only the second team this century to win a premiership from outside the top four.

They were the last club to do it in 2016 when they came from seventh on the ladder and racked up three huge finals wins before defeating Sydney in the decider.

Beveridge said there was already widespread admiration for what they had achieved just by making the grand final after finishing fifth on the ladder by percentage.

He urged his players to enjoy the victory but to keep their emotions in check with two weeks until they get to play Melbourne.

The care for each other. The love for each other.

It's the essence of our football club. pic.twitter.com/QOuzX8YCgG

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) September 12, 2021

“It’s just such an emotional game at times,” he told the players in his post-match address.

“It’s a big project and the emotions are going to spill out in two weeks’ time. Hold it in until then, and we give our all then, but let’s enjoy it.”

Beveridge lauded his players for the spirit they had embodied as they defeated Essendon, Brisbane and Port in three do-or-die finals.

“Everyone has so much admiration not only for how you are playing but how you are looking after each other,” he said.

“It’s been phenomenal care for each other and love for each other. It’s the essence of our football club, you are the essence of our football club.

“You have set the scene, you have made it and taken us all on your journey.”

The Bulldogs will face the Demons in the grand final at Optus Stadium in Perth on September 25

Originally published as AFL grand final: Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge warns emotions will ‘spill out’ on the day