Luke Beveridge bucking macho AFL coaching trend in public displays of emotion

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LUKE Beveridge cares and he’s not afraid to show it. This week he did something that came as a surprise.

Halfway through his mid-week press conference, he choked up. There were no flowing tears or sobs — just watery eyes and a constant clearing of the throat.

He had started this presser by attempting to deliver a clear message: “We’ve moved on — we have to.”

Beveridge was trying to convince us — the outside world — but I suspect he was also trying to convince himself.

Then, as he started to recall the scenes in the Bulldogs’ rooms on Saturday night, he couldn’t hide the fact he was still very much deeply affected.
There was Mitch Wallis, screaming in pain with a badly broken leg, surrounded by shattered teammates in tears. And Jack Redpath, solemnly standing in the corner, coming to the realisation he would need a third knee reconstruction.

When I noticed the tear in Beveridge’s eye on Tuesday, it was real. It wasn’t drama, he wasn’t searching for sympathy or, as one person on Twitter suggested to me, conceding defeat and admitting the Dogs season is done.

He was genuinely moved to tears. He was sad and he showed it.

That’s not ‘letting the emotions get the better of you’. That’s you being better by letting your emotions show.

I don’t know Beveridge well. But in my dealings with him over the past couple of years I’ve come to this conclusion.

He is different. He is softly spoken. He has a dry — and slightly odd — sense of humour. He is intrinsically kind and very respectful.

When he speaks to you, he looks you in the eye and takes in every word that you say. This may sound odd, but it’s rare as a journalist for someone to really listen to your question, assume you have a good reason for asking it and answer it so.

I’ve seen it from afar, as well. I was at Bulldogs training earlier this year when I saw a couple approach Beveridge to speak to him. He shook their hands and greeted them warmly.

At first, I thought they were introducing themselves, saying G’day to the coach of their club. But Luke spoke to them for such a long time and was so genuine and present in their conversation. So I figured they must have been friends — acquaintances, at the very least.

Then Luke hugged one of them — they were definitely friends, must be.

But as they parted, I overheard him say “nice to meet you”.

Then it dawned on me: This man’s care extends beyond his immediate circle.

Not just about his players, not just about his club. He’s just a good man with a good heart.

I hope little boys sat down and watched the news on Tuesday night and thought it’s OK to cry and feel sad. It’s not weak, it’s kindness and compassion.

Yes Beveridge is a little different, but he’s not afraid — not afraid of who he is or what that means.

He’s a tough man with a husky voice. And this week he choked up, in front of many cameras and, subsequently, into the loungerooms where hundreds of thousands of people were watching.

He’s comfortable with being a caring man and, combined with his captain Bob Murphy, it’s beautiful leadership.

I have no doubt, every young man who walks through the doors at Whitten Oval will be a better human for it. I’d certainly love to have him as a coach.

The Dogs aren’t the only ones lucky to have Luke Beveridge. We all are.

She's a good journalist is Neroli... Nice piece.

I didn't listen to it - I prefer my brain cells not be destroyed by 5 minutes of ads for every 1 minute of content - but apparently SEN have been having a fair old crack at the club today, i.e. handling of the weekend, too much emotion, Bevo choking up, Bob on 360 last night, Boyd's contract.

This gives me some peace of mind because if the dimwits on that radio station disagree with what we're doing, it probably means we're going in the right direction.

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Originally Posted by comrade

I didn't listen to it - I prefer my brain cells not be destroyed by 5 minutes of ads for every 1 minute of content - but apparently SEN have been having a fair old crack at the club today, i.e. handling of the weekend, too much emotion, Bevo choking up, Bob on 360 last night, Boyd's contract.

This gives me some peace of mind because if the dimwits on that radio station disagree with what we're doing, it probably means we're going in the right direction.

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The whole of yesterday was about Tom's contract, I had to switch it off and listen to music. (I normally have radio on in background while I work). Haven't bothered switching SEN on today.

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Originally Posted by bornadog

The whole of yesterday was about Tom's contract, I had to switch it off and listen to music. (I normally have radio on in background while I work). Haven't bothered switching SEN on today.

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Yeah i don't know why they gave the Boyd issue so much time. Just going around in circles.
Every day this week has been bulldog bashing day. Normally i don't give a stuff as it would just encourage me to dig my heals, but a lot of it was just utter tripe. John Ralph in particular i find moronic. Gets his facts wrong and generalises so much to paint his picture.

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Originally Posted by Mantis

She's a good journalist is Neroli... Nice piece.

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The way they carry on is cringeworthy. It's almost Chris Gayle like in its creepiness

Or macavaney/ Rioli

Ralph malph can't make up his mind .
Boyds on 1.5, then 1.4. Then it was we're still paying Griffens contract .
Then there was Waldron, who reckons our list manager should be sacked !
So many experts on contracts, TPP, and the like .
Please stop guessing

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Originally Posted by Remi Moses

Ralph malph can't make up his mind .
Boyds on 1.5, then 1.4. Then it was we're still paying Griffens contract .
Then there was Waldron, who reckons our list manager should be sacked !
So many experts on contracts, TPP, and the like .
Please stop guessing

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Waldron went early with the Dogs chasing Hurley news, and now he's potting us for Boyd's deal potentially costing us players. Ok.

They're effectively guessing on everything. It's either second hand info, or just saying something .
I don't think you need a doctrine in economics to realise Tom's contract lessons significantly at the backend

Earlier in the week..

MEDIA: Bulldogs should demand Tom Boyd to take a pay cut.

Later in the week...

MEDIA: How dare the Bulldogs ask Boyd to take a pay cut.

That's the problem with staying silent on things. The narrative just swings the way the media wants it to.

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Originally Posted by comrade

Earlier in the week..

MEDIA: Bulldogs should demand Tom Boyd to take a pay cut.

Later in the week...

MEDIA: How dare the Bulldogs ask Boyd to take a pay cut.

That's the problem with staying silent on things. The narrative just swings the way the media wants it to.

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Maybe Jacko makes more sense now

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Originally Posted by Bulldog4life

Maybe Jacko makes more sense now

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A broken clock is right twice a day.

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Originally Posted by Rocco Jones

A broken clock is right twice a day.

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Not in the digital age.

And I'm not just talking about the clock.

" rare as a journalist for someone to really listen to your question, assume you have a good reason for asking it and answer it so."
Many a time watched Ross Lyon or maybe Brad or Chris Scott roast a journalist over a minor point just because their egos demand it.
Bevo is a great public speaker and really enjoy his press conferences.