Luke Beveridge press conference, Western Bulldogs coach under siege, Cody Weightman phone call

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he is “blind” to outside criticism of him and speculation about his future, and is adamant he does not feel he is under the most pressure since joining the club.

The Bulldogs canceled a training session on Tuesday so Beveridge could gather his players on a Bayside beach, while review of the stunning seven-point loss to Hawthorn, the Dogs’ fourth loss in their last five games, unfolds. delayed until Thursday.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Beveridge said he felt “more or less” no pressure, despite some outside calls for a coaching change amid his team’s 3-5 start to the season.

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Beveridge said the number of people reaching out to him gave him an idea that he was the “center of attention” this week, but stressed that he was focused on showing his players and coaching staff that he was in “the right place” to lead. a change of dogs.

“I’m probably a little blind or oblivious to this (external criticism). “What I do notice is how many wonderful, understanding people come up to me sometimes to express their affection and their love, and I think it is in moments like these that you appreciate the kindness of people,” he said.

“If you have an optimistic outlook all the time, it means you make better decisions, more considered decisions, the collaborative environment is strong, and you don’t get busy and worry about things that don’t matter.

“I don’t tend to worry too much about it these days… There were probably periods in the childhood of my senior coaching life when I felt a little more agitated than I do today. So it is very important that you do not pay too much attention to it. “The opinions and scrutiny of what I do within the football club are the most important thing to me.”

Beveridge said he had felt great support within the Bulldogs, including president Kyle Watson-Wheeler, chief executive Ameet Bains, new head of football Matthew Egan and the playing group. He said he was particularly moved during a phone conversation with injured forward Cody Weightman.

“’Flea’ called me and asked me how I was. He said: “When I was going through challenges with the scrutiny around head-high tackles and all that, I can remember the conversations we had, and I just want to see how you are doing”… That’s just an idea of ​​what kind of a character that Cody Weightman is,” Beveridge said.

“There’s been a lot of that – and I love the fact that people want to do that – but I don’t necessarily need it. I tell my closest friends, ‘Don’t text me, don’t call me, I’m fine.’ But they are always worried.

“But ultimately I’m in a very good place and I’m looking forward to this next challenge.”

When asked directly if he felt like he was training for his future right now, Beveridge said: “Look, I’d rather just talk about (the game). I’m fine and in the end we are in a good place. There is a lot of season ahead of us and, believe it or not, we have 17 games left before someone plays in the final.

“As I’ve always been… I’m an absolute coach week to week. So all my attention is on Richmond this week.”

However, Beveridge admitted that “we would be talking nonsense if we said the players were not affected by outside noise.”

“Sometimes that can be confrontational, so what’s critical nowadays is that players don’t come to the club feeling like they’re under the same kind of scrutiny as the outside,” he said.

“This has to be a safe place, a place where they can come and feel like they belong and work together, and that’s really evident. The players are very close, although we have not won as many games as we would have liked at this point in the year, their approach and commitment has not wavered. All of that is encouraging.

“I know they will aim on Saturday night to do the best they can and I hope it will be enough.”

Beveridge said the number of Hawthorn goals his team conceded due to turnovers in the defensive half on Sunday was “a big surprise” and “worrying”, adding that he was hopeful his team would “sort up” that area. of the game against Richmond.

Champion midfielder Tom Liberatore’s playing future is another dark cloud hanging over Whitten Oval, with the 31-year-old running on the sidelines during Thursday’s training session as he attempts to recover from a fourth concussion in 22 games.

Beveridge said he was unsure of a report suggesting the AFL had taken over management of Liberatore’s recovery.

“I haven’t had any news on that, but I know it takes a while for them to convene those panels, so if that’s the case, it remains to be seen when that will be,” he said.

“(Liberatore) arrived (Thursday) morning; As far as the concussion goes, he totally left it to our medical professionals… I can’t really give an opinion on how he’s doing. I ask him and he says he’s okay…we just hope he’s okay.

“It’s great to see him here and he’ll do his best to convince everyone he’s going to be OK, but ultimately there’s more to play for.”

Beveridge said he had yet to decide on a possible recall of Caleb Daniel or No.6 pick Ryley Sanders in place of Liberatore, but wanted the Bulldogs to be “well represented” at the coalface without their key winner.

– with NCA NewsWire