When Luke Beveridge was appointed Western Bulldogs coach in 2014, skipper Ryan Griffen and Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney had just walked out on the AFL club.
Less than two years have passed and Beveridge has helped the Bulldogs become a destination club.
Collingwood spearhead Travis Cloke and in-demand Essendon defender Michael Hurley have both been strongly linked to Whitten Oval.
There is an obvious upside and downside of such speculation.
“We seem to be linked to everyone at the moment. I don’t know why,” Beveridge said on Tuesday.
“If we’re becoming that way because it’s been identified we’ve got a good environment, our players enjoy being here and our exploits on the field. That’s brilliant.
“It’s really encouraging but it hasn’t been instigated by anyone here and I’m not sure where it’s all coming from.”
Beveridge has previously confirmed the Bulldogs’ interest in Hurley but didn’t want to discuss the topic at Tuesday’s press conference.
The reason is his side face Essendon on Sunday, Fremantle in the final round of the season then must prepare for finals.
“The last thing I want it to be is playing on our own players’ minds and it shouldn’t be,” he said.
“Because we’re not talking about it.
“Our players know how much we value them as people … we’re very keen to retain as many of our own players as we can.
“So it’s not right to talk publicly about it, because we really value everything our boys have done for us this year in trying circumstances.”
Beveridge, who worked as a development coach at Collingwood when Cloke was winning games off his own boot, was hopeful the 29-year-old would stay at the Magpies.
“He’s been a great Collingwood player. A premiership player and his very best is extremely good,” he said.
“It’d surprise me if Collingwood didn’t want him to see out his contract.
“If at the end of the year he wants to move on then they’re going to try and find suitors, whether we’re one of the clubs involved in that remains to be seen.
“I haven’t spoken to Travis since 2010.”
The Bulldogs have showed admirable depth this year and will need to continue to do so.
Beveridge confirmed injured midfielders Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae wouldn’t play until September, while hamstrung defender Dale Morris will miss Sunday’s clash at Etihad Stadium.
“We just want to be certain with him,” he said of the veteran.
“He’ll almost definitely play against Fremantle in the last round.”
Aransan
Guest
Hurley has just recommitted to Essendon: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-18/michael-hurley-signs-new-five-year-deal-with-essendon
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Spot on Tim, they are the two players I think the Doggies should go after too. I like the combination of Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughhead, with Tom Boyd as emergency backup, but we need another ruck option in case of injury. Hopefully we'll take Hurley as a delisted free agent for nothing after he takes his breached contract to the AFL Grievance Tribunal (and hang on to our 1st and 2nd round picks) and we'll offer Freo a 3rd round pick for Clarke.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
If I was the Scrays I would throw everything to get Hurley. He would complete their backline i would also touch up Freo over Zac Clarke, who i think they could get relatively cheaply ( low second round pick ) and could end up being very valuable. Keeping in mind a lot of ruckmen mature later on
Wilson
Roar Guru
I see the point in the Dogs going after Michael Hurley he fits the age group and in a pinch can go forward as he did at times during 11/12/13 as extra fire power. But Cloke I don't see them needing with Boyd and Stewart Crameri back next year. As there main tall’s and if they can score a Ruck/Forward in the style of Hale then Cloke is not worth it. He would be a better fit for Lion's or North with some of there over 30s retiring.
mattyb
Guest
Its probably a two way thing. While many old supporters are locked into old VFL values players now are young and don't remember or care for such things. Old VFL powerhouse Hawthorn are still attractive as they have moved with the times to now be the premier club and destination and teams like WB and the Saints have moved forward and are also becoming attractive places. The Richmond and Carlton supporters might still think they are relevant but it seems they are now attracting the rejects while the teams that have moved with the times are attracting the big names. It will go one of two ways in the future,the old VFL powerhouses will either move with the times and be an attractive proposition again for good players or they will continue with their live in the past philosophies and young fans will start seeing them as irrelevant as the players do placing their futures in jeopardy. People must always look to the future because people and things change and the AFL and it's clubs are far different to what they were years ago. The perception has certainly changed and we are seeing this with player movement.