Respected AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has urged the league to hand Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge a ‘six-figure fine’ following his extraordinary press conference attack on Fox Footy reporter Tom Morris.
Speaking on Neil Mitchell’s 3AW morning program on Thursday, Wilson, who works for the radio station and is also chief football writer at Melbourne’s The Age newspaper, was scathing of Beveridge, suggesting the 2016 premiership coach ‘clearly can’t deal with life at the moment’ and may not be fit to be a senior coach.
“I think it’s bigger than the AFL looking at fining Luke Beveridge, which they certainly will – he’s brought the game into disrepute,” Wilson said.
“I think it should be a six-figure fine myself.
“I think Luke Beveridge needs to look at whether he is equipped to coach… what we saw last night is a man unravelling, and I’m quite serious about this.”
Wilson was particularly dismissive of Beveridge’s allegation that Morris had jeopardised Bulldogs player Lachie Hunter’s mental health, after reporting news that the wingman was set to be dropped before teams had officially been named for the Dogs’ Round 1 clash with Melbourne.
“Who invokes the mental health and wellbeing card over a selection story? I’ve never seen anything so disgraceful in all my years of covering football,” Wilson said.
“It is a man who’s clearly not coping.”
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Wilson even went so far as to question whether Beveridge, the only living Bulldogs premiership coach, needs to reconsider his suitability to lead the club.
“I don’t think he’s equipped to be looking after the futures of 30 young men, quite frankly,” she said.
Wilson then went on to urge the Bulldogs to take action themselves to reprimand Beveridge, saying the club ‘need to step up’.
Should they not, then the veteran journalist has encouraged a media ban on Beveridge until the matter is dealt with.
“People cannot treat other people like this in public over a story,” Wilson said.
“This football club, which is run by good people… they’re allowing something dreadful to go on, and they need to step up.
“If the Bulldogs don’t respond and there isn’t an adequate response from the AFL, I would urge all journalists to ban Luke Beveridge.
“He doesn’t have a right to perform in public if that’s what he’s going to do.”
JamesH
Roar Guru
The spray was disgusting. How can a professional coach sit there and invoke mental health while denigrating someone on national TV? Or does mental health only matter if you like the person? It doesn't matter what sort of bloke Morris is. What Bevo did was unacceptable. You can't justify that sort of behaviour simply because you don't like Morris' trade. If he had a problem with Morris then he should have dealt with it behind the scenes through Fox Footy.
J.T Delacroix
Guest
True. I misjudged his age a bit there.
Tezza54
Roar Rookie
On ya Bevo, save up the next spray for Wilson
Cracker
Guest
Footy coach sprays a journo, what's news?
Simoc
Guest
He's also unemployed. And unemployable in the real world to a worthwhile organisation.
Coastyboi
Guest
Tom Morris is the Donald Trump of journalism. Except, his hair is nicer.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
So, sport then…in general.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I so agree. There is nothing about her work worthy of respect. It is always about scandal, politics and accusation. Does she ever talk about games?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
7 figures there. The decimal point counts.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The spray was fine. Sports gossip journos deal in the same currency. If it was directed at someone other than a sports gossip columnist it might be an issue. It is the bed Morris has chosen to lie in (the pun is deliberate).
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
This is no kid. He's closer to middle age spread than he is to teenage angst.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
So let's get this straight; Caro reckons sports journos should black ban Bevo. She'll set the standard by totally ignoring him...never factor him in her sports conversation again. Oh, hang on, she just had to pop out and write an article about Bevo. Good ignoring, Caro!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Surely Bevo would see that as a reward. In whose world is a sportsman's life enriched by the presence of a journalist?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
How are we going to grow tomatoes with all these glasshouses being smashed?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Julie Bishop anyone?
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
well id imagine their reaction will be in that in time honoured fashion, the journos will be at his doorstep, chasing him down the street looking for any possible sound grab they can get, diving into his past etc etc to find any possible skerrit of dirt on him... or maybe they'll go quiet and look in the other direction, hard to say really.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
' I would urge all journalists to ban Luke Beveridge.'....'cos in sport, the journos are the important ones right? I'd wager, that as punters, 95% of us, or maybe as high as 5% more on top of that, couldn't give a fig who the reporter / journalist is, at any point, at anytime. I really don't care who is right or wrong in this particular mess but i hate it when those reporting on it make it about themselves...
Loosey
Roar Rookie
The irony! Someone in the Doggies camp (allegedly, possibly) finally had enough of Morris.
NickNoel
Roar Rookie
Typical response from her. I stand with Luke.
Graham
Guest
Quiet right Caroline We all know AFL is all about the journos. The players coaches, administrators are just bit players.