Premiership coach Luke Beveridge has revealed that Western Bulldogs skipper Robert Murphy returned the Jock McHale Medal to him on Sunday morning. 

The Bulldogs coach won universal praise for his incredible gesture on Grand Final day when he called the injured Murphy to the premiership dais following the Bulldogs' historic win and handed him the medal, saying: "This is yours mate, you deserve it more than anyone."  

But Beveridge revealed during his speech at the Bulldogs' best and fairest awards on Wednesday night that Murphy had returned the medal. 

"I put him in a difficult situation, but he had to have recognition," Beveridge said. 

"He returned the Jock McHale Medal. He gave it back to me on Sunday morning. He said he couldn't keep it. But he thanked me for the gesture.

"The medal will go in the Western Bulldogs museum as a symbol of the camaraderie and respect that Bob has fostered over the course of his career at the Western Bulldogs."

Beveridge once again paid tribute to Murphy for his leadership role throughout the season while working through his rehabilitation from his season-ending knee injury. 

Beveridge received a standing ovation from the 1500-strong crowd and exited the stage to "Bevo" chants.