Western Bulldogs boss Ameet Bains responds to criticism of Luke Beveridge

The Western Bulldogs boss has declared that Luke Beveridge is safe until his contract expires while hitting back at media criticism of the Dogs coach.

Western Bulldogs boss Ameet Bains has hit out at media criticism of coach Luke Beveridge as “over the top” as he declared his coach safe until the end of 2025.

As the Dogs got back to an even win-loss record after six games Bains said some AFL journalists and commentators were unfairly targeting his coach.

Amid calls for his coach to be sacked on Thursday, Bains watched his side demolish St Kilda in a 60-point victory as he made clear the club’s aspirations this year were still to compete for a flag.

Beveridge’s selection calls have drawn attention to his left-field methods and while Bains said all clubs accepted criticism he felt some of it was too personal towards his premiership coach.

Ameet Bains. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“I had a feeling we were 0-12 given some of the commentary of the week but that comes with the territory. There were no crisis meetings,” he said.

“No (he isn’t under pressure). It’s round 5, he is contracted to the end of next year. There is an undue level of focus on him by a couple of journalists in particular which is their prerogative but it feeds the media cycle a bit more than it should.

“Generally speaking the cycle dictates whoever is underperforming cops a bit of heat. But subjectively speaking from our end, the personalisation of it and the way it’s directed at the coach at times is over the top. There is not much more we can do than perform and shift the focus elsewhere.”

Some Dogs players have been disgruntled about Beveridge’s selection policies given he has dumped senior players with years of solid form or made them the club’s sub.

Luke Beveridge. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

But Bains denied there was any confusion among senior players or animosity over their mates being left out of the side.

On Thursday night Bailey Dale responded to being sub the previous week with a brilliant display and Jackson Macrae was back to his polished best.

“I think we are always mindful of that and credit to not just ‘Bevo’ but the coaching group as a whole around the internal communication,” Bains told ABC Radio of the mood of the senior players.

“No doubt some of the more senior players are disappointed they are not playing with their mates week in or week out but there hasn’t been any disharmony or dissatisfaction.”

Originally published as Western Bulldogs boss Ameet Bains responds to criticism of Luke Beveridge