Premiership coach Luke Beveridge has finalised a new two-year contract with the Western Bulldogs, keeping him at the Whitten Oval until the end of 2025.
Beveridge was due to come out of contract at the end of next AFL season but the Bulldogs have moved to lock him in before 2023 begins.
The 52-year-old will front at press conference at the Bulldogs’ headquarters on Friday where he will likely be asked about interest from rival clubs.
“It’s a great show of faith and support from the club to commit to me for another three years, in essence, to the end of 2025,” Beveridge said via a statement on Thursday night.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“I am really grateful for the support I’ve had along the way – so many good people have come and gone who influenced our program and helped me in my role.
“As much as there is the occasional speculation of me coaching elsewhere, I’ve never really thought about that. I’ve always wanted to be here.
“I’m absolutely invested and committed to our football club, mostly our people and everyone that supports us.”
Beveridge started his senior AFL coaching career with the Bulldogs in 2015, having immediate success with the perennial battlers.
After a surprise finals berth in his debut season, Beveridge led the Bulldogs to just their second VFL/AFL premiership – and first in 62 years – when they defeated the Sydney Swans in the 2016 grand final.
Beveridge is already the most successful coach in Bulldogs history with 104 wins and will overtake the legendary Ted Whitten’s games record of 228 by the end of 2025.
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“This is a significant moment for our football club and its people,” Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler said.
“Luke’s passion for the club is evident and his record speaks for itself, taking us to our first premiership in 62 years, while finding sustained success through his eight seasons at the helm.
“We are so fortunate to have a strong and committed leader driving the Western Bulldogs’ AFL team forward into the future, establishing an exciting playing group and building a culture that has helped the club’s brand grow.”
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Are razors that expensive.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Fair call :silly:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Mate in 17’ we had a few go down with ACL’s & concussion it really derailed our season.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Not surprising. Clubs have become ultra conservative with coaches over the past decade. Better the one you know then the one you don’t I guess..maybe ?!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Does his new contract include shaving that ridiculous goatee?
berrlins
Roar Pro
Yeah they definitely underachieved by not beating Freo after being up by so much, but the grand final last year they were up by 3 goals, not exactly a huge margin and they just got blown away in the 4th, can happen. Good point on 2017 I didn't think of that actually, I think it underlined the problems that they had though, they were never a top 4 side but had an extremely good finals series in 2016 which masked the defensive and offensive problems they had which were later found out.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
I #love random #hashtags
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Absolute no brainer. Best in the business. He lacked the support he needed in 2022 with departure of too many key assistants. Combined with decent recruitment on and off the field, the doggies will be a force in 2023. Dunkley is a loss, but we have plenty of ammunition to cover him. Great news for the club and great management. In Bevo We Trust.
XI
Roar Guru
They were up by big margins in the last two finals they played and lost both. And you don't think missing finals all together in 2017 after winning the premiership counts as underachieving?
berrlins
Roar Pro
He's made finals 6 times losing three finals by under 20 points, I think the only time he's underachieved was 2022 where they should have been better. He also has the most wins as Bulldogs coach. The 2 years makes sense.
Ted Bulltish
Guest
If you look at the #facts and take into consideration the evenness of the competition and how free agency has changed player movement and list profiles dramatically, unless you're dopey or a #lowhangingfruitpicker, this decision was pretty straight forward.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's worth something; when Rossie was sacked, he got $1m from Freo as holiday pay, $1 million from Channel 9, and made $1m in real estate. Coaches, when they sign these extensions, probably factor a sacking into future financial windfalls.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
Dogs had an unlucky 2022 imo,
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
Good move
XI
Roar Guru
That's interesting. His time at the Dogs has been nothing if not inconsistent. Two very good years surrounded by a lot of mediocrity
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Good stuff, knock the speculation on the head. The mo' is gone, Bevo now has support in Brendan Lade, he has a more balanced list; it'll be a brand new Bevo this year.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah but if this year shows us anything that a coaching contract is not worth the paper they’re written on