The Western Bulldogs and Luke Beveridge have issued statements following the coach’s extraordinary press conference attack on journalist Tom Morris.
Amid calls for Beveridge to receive a significant fine and outrage from the footy media and public, Beveridge admitted to crossing the line, and apologised to Morris.
“My exchange with journalist Tom Morris overstepped the mark,” the statement reads.
“I want to apologise for my behaviour. I want to apologise to Tom Morris and all those present last night and to our members, supporters, partners and the wider football community.
“We have strong values at the Bulldogs that we all sign up to. They are values that I believe in and support and live. My actions last night were not consistent with those values or the way we go about business as a football club, or I go about life as an individual.
“I recognised that what I did was not okay. It was not representative of our club culture which is so special and means so much to me. While I was highly emotional in the moments after a difficult loss, it is no excuse to let those emotions spill over and get the better of me.”
Beveridge labelled Morris a ‘gutter journalist’ and attempted to expel him from the press conference, after he reported earlier in the week that star midfielder Lachie Hunter would be omitted from the team to face Melbourne in the AFL season opener.
In a bizarre twist, Hunter would be named when teams were initially lodged on Tuesday night, only to be demoted to medical sub in the hours before the game. He would then earn a reprieve when Jason Johannisen suffered an injury.
“As people would know, I am extremely passionate about, and protective of, our players and our people, and I always have their welfare and their best interests at heart,” Beveridge’s statement continues.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“I pride myself on being measured and thoughtful, however on this occasion I clearly didn’t handle it the way I should have, and I understand and accept that.
“The last thing I want is for my actions to reflect negatively on the Western Bulldogs Football Club and our culture. As I’ve said many times, I want our members and supporters to be proud of their Club on and off the field and to be proud of the way we conduct ourselves at all times, and I’ll continue to strive for that.
“I take accountability for my actions. We will work through that as a club and I will focus on getting the best out of the team for the remainder of the season, and my energies will be centred on preparing our players for our next game against Carlton.”
Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler also apologised to Morris, confirming she and CEO Ameet Bains had had discussions with Beveridge over his conduct.
“The Western Bulldogs Football Club cannot and does not condone senior coach Luke Beveridge’s handling of his post-game press conference exchange with Tom Morris last night,” her statement reads.
“The Club sincerely apologises to Tom for the incident. It is important to us that Tom is ok.
“Our CEO Ameet Bains and I have had extensive and frank discussions with Luke today. From the very beginning of those discussions this morning, Luke made clear that he understood his behaviour was inappropriate and he is deeply remorseful.
“Luke also understands that his conduct in the press conference was not reflective of the values of the Western Bulldogs and has shone a negative light on the Club. Everyone is entitled to a respectful workplace and we acknowledge the important and sometimes difficult job the football media have to do.
The Bulldogs will donate $20,000 to charity ‘Orygen’ in the aftermath of the incident. The AFL is yet to pass down sanctions.
Watson-Wheeler maintains the club will support Beveridge, and ‘provide Luke with the resources, guidance and support he needs to perform in his role at the highest level of professionalism’.
ColinT
Roar Rookie
Perhaps Bevo had heard of the disgusting audio from Tom Morris concerning a female colleague? If that is the case the apology would have been even more difficult to make. Will be interesting to see what Caro advocates for Morris given her excoriation of Bevo.
Lincoln
Roar Rookie
There's no tax deduction as member owned sporting clubs don't pay income tax.
ColinT
Roar Rookie
Couldn’t agree more, especially about Morris.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Pies by 25.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I didn’t, but I’ll have a guess :laughing: Saints by plenty
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Pies tonight? Did you see who’s ranked #1 on the points split?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I'm there with ya Don, 2 for 2
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Totes over the top, but I still like him, we all Do dumb stuff. It appears he had some audio of Morris in his pocket
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
What l saw was a man who is passionate about his club and his boys. Was it OTT? Yes, but cut him some slack. There's more to this and he was defending his line. Good on him. ----------- And to think l hate Victorians .... :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Yes, both the AFL & the NRL can't cast stones. Both as bad as each other. It's a good thing you never got Gillon McLachlan.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
People acting up badly is more interesting than the sport. Huh??? What are you going to watch when they cancel "The Project"?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Jarryd Haynes anyone?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
In fairness Trump caused the issues. Sensible Republicans and most of the rest had no part on the bribery attempt on Zelensky but nationally America is a hypocrite
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Prostrate Prostate?
Larry1950
Guest
As predominantly an NRL fan with a passing interest in AFL on a geographical basis but no club affiliation, when I watched that tirade by Beveridge against journalist for breaking a story that proved to be truthful, even I was shocked. The level of disdain & venom displayed by Beveridge could not possibly result from a one-off issue, it was obvious that there were historical matters that led to that outburst. Conversely, the scripted apology struck me as having all the genuineness of a $3 bill, akin to those regular NRL player apologies I’m used to being trotted out after another scandal, the standard “I’ve let down the game, my club, my teammates, my family, our supporters blah blah blah”. Don’t know Beveridge or Morris, never will, don’t care much but I do recall my pop telling me a person’s true character will show itself under serious adversity. Morris might be a knob running a network driven agenda, there are plenty of them across the Murdoch organisation happy to throw the grenade. That outburst took me back to Manly coach Bob Fulton’s quote about hoping a ref (Harrigan?) got run over by a cement truck.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I had visions of Gill in a black balaclava standing behind him as he read from a stup!d card.
Reg Grundy
Guest
Don't forget its a $20k tax deduction to a registered charity. I always laugh about it when a voluntary donation is made as a form of punishment.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Caro and Barrett have both been massive hypocrites constantly throughout their career. They throw all kinds of insults scattergun at their various targets, then get all petulant, derisive and act like they should be considered respected elders of our society. They seem incapable of self-reflection. Even today, Barret has called Bevo "irrational, childish and plain pathetic", which is in itself childish. Then he says, "we all move on", attempting to disguise himself as mature and not bitter. Caro and Barrett's career behaviour are good illustrations of why a coach like Bevo holds them in contempt and "went troppo".
CloudRunner
Roar Rookie
I’ve only heard an edit of what he said, but yeah it’s quite unpleasant.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
He needs to pick up a dictionary of euphemisms