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Club Statement
The Western Bulldogs wish to issue the following statements regarding the post-game press conference following Wednesday night’s Round 1 match.
STATEMENT FROM SENIOR COACH LUKE BEVERIDGE
I have reflected on my comments and actions from the post-game press conference after last night’s game and acknowledge that my exchange with journalist Tom Morris overstepped the mark.
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.
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. 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.
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT KYLIE WATSON-WHEELER
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. 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.
In addition to Luke’s formal apology, the Club has agreed with the AFL to donate $20,000 to Orygen, a key partner of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, to assist Orygen with the important work it does in youth mental health.
Luke is a man of strong integrity who leads with heart and soul, caring deeply for everyone at the Western Bulldogs. His passion crossed a line last night and he is aware of that. As a Club, we commit to a thorough process of internal assessment to ensure better outcomes in the future.
Luke is a much loved and valued leader within our club. Our role as a Board, as a management group and as a club as a whole, is to support Luke through the incredible pressures and emotions of the AFL industry as it exists today. We will continue to provide Luke with the resources, guidance and support he needs to perform in his role at the highest level of professionalism.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Re: Club Statement
Rubbish from the club IMO.
The apology from Bevo was enough, didn’t need to go any further than that.
Nice to know we actually have a President though.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
comrade
Rubbish from the club IMO.
The apology from Bevo was enough, didn’t need to go any further than that.
Nice to know we actually have a President though.
I disagree. This had to be done.
We all love Bevo but he let himself and the Club down yesterday, even if his intentions to protect the club were honourable. The media, sponsors and supporters are watching this closely and it is important we limit the fall out. This is a sensible move by Bevo & the Club.
Listening to Brahm's 3rd Racket
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
The Doctor
I disagree. This had to be done.
We all love Bevo but he let himself and the Club down yesterday, even if his intentions to protect the club were honourable. The media, sponsors and supporters are watching this closely and it is important we limit the fall out. This is a sensible move my Bevo & the Club.
What the doc said.
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Re: Club Statement
Social media wins over Main stream Media
Tom Morris stood down by Fox Footy
It comes after a vulgar WhatsApp message the reporter sent to friends was leaked publicly on Thursday.
It regarded a female work colleague of Morris at Fox Sports.
A Fox Sports spokesman told the Herald Sun that Morris had been stood down “pending an investigation” into an “inappropriate” audio recording.
“While it is not appropriate to comment further, Fox Sports is committed to a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.”
Morris has been in the media spotlight since Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge launched a scathing attack on him in the wake of the club’s first-round loss to Melbourne.
Beveridge accused Morris of “gutter journalism” and “muckraking”.
The Western Bulldogs coach has since apologised.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes
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Re: Club Statement
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
The Doctor
I disagree. This had to be done.
We all love Bevo but he let himself and the Club down yesterday, even if his intentions to protect the club were honourable. The media, sponsors and supporters are watching this closely and it is important we limit the fall out. This is a sensible move by Bevo & the Club.
I agree. Whether well intentioned or not it came across as a deflection from what was ultimately a disappointing performance. All the talk during the Summer about making amends for the GF capitulation was just talk. His berating of Morris missed the mark by a long way. It wasn't even a coherent rant. It would have been so much more effective if delivered in a calm and rational manner. All it says to me is that we have issues inside the club. Not sure what they are but there are issues and the leaking of information is a symptom.
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
comrade
Rubbish from the club IMO.
The apology from Bevo was enough, didn’t need to go any further than that.
Nice to know we actually have a President though.
No I think the club has to be separate from Bevo and this shows that.
I'm happy with all of it. Had to be done.
Agree nice to hear from Kylie.
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Re: Club Statement
What else can the club do?
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
bornadog
What else can the club do?
Let Bevo make the apology and move on.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
bornadog
What else can the club do?
Do you think Bevo's response was sufficient? I do. I don't think we needed to hear from the Prez in this instance.
I get why but I don't think it was necessary. Donating money to charity after consulting the AFL wasn't right from my perspective.
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"
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Re: Club Statement
Weak as expected from KWW.
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
The Bulldogs Bite
Weak as expected from KWW.
Melbourne's president, who is also similarly new in her role like ours, did not back down one inch and fully/unequivocally publicly supported her coach after bullying allegations against Goodwin surfaced in the media. Never give in to the media mob.
The difference between our club and the Demons, both on and off the field, could not be starker at the moment.
KWW should remain invisible after today's utterly meek display. Perhaps the corporation that she moonights for day to day might do well to clean their own house first - some very gross and disturbing allegations at the house of the mouse in recent days. Peter Gordon would not have rolled over to the AFL and the media pack so comprehensively as KWW did.
Bevo's great strength is his loyalty and passion. If we neuter him, we will.destroy what makes him so good at his craft and so valuable to our club.
"Look at me mate. Look at me. I'm flyin'"
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
Sedat
Melbourne's president, who is also similarly new in her role like ours, did not back down one inch and fully/unequivocally publicly supported her coach after bullying allegations against Goodwin surfaced in the media. Never give in to the media mob.
The difference between our club and the Demons, both on and off the field, could not be starker at the moment.
KWW should remain invisible after today's utterly meek display. Perhaps the corporation that she moonights for day to day might do well to clean their own house first - some very gross and disturbing allegations at the house of the mouse in recent days. Peter Gordon would not have rolled over to the AFL and the media pack so comprehensively as KWW did.
Bevo's great strength is his loyalty and passion. If we neuter him, we will.destroy what makes him so good at his craft and so valuable to our club.
Welcome back Sedat, a post or two on the music board needs your input.
Back to Bevo I'm not comfortable with how this has played out today.
Gut feel is if Peter Gordon was still in the chair not sure we'd have an apology - we would've stood with Bevo and moved on.
Ride the wave for 25 weeks of us against them mentality.
More of an In Bruges guy?
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes
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Re: Club Statement
Originally Posted by
Sedat
Melbourne's president, who is also similarly new in her role like ours, did not back down one inch and fully/unequivocally publicly supported her coach after bullying allegations against Goodwin surfaced in the media. Never give in to the media mob.
The difference between our club and the Demons, both on and off the field, could not be starker at the moment.
KWW should remain invisible after today's utterly meek display. Perhaps the corporation that she moonights for day to day might do well to clean their own house first - some very gross and disturbing allegations at the house of the mouse in recent days. Peter Gordon would not have rolled over to the AFL and the media pack so comprehensively as KWW did.
Bevo's great strength is his loyalty and passion. If we neuter him, we will.destroy what makes him so good at his craft and so valuable to our club.
I don't agree with you but man I love how you write!
House of the mouse I lolzed hard.
Our Walt would never be controversial. He's as pure as the white skin of a Teutonic knight.....
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