Executive Director of Football Chris Grant believes there is no-one better equipped to be at the Bulldogs’ helm than Luke Beveridge.
The premiership coach enters his ninth season in charge this year, after signing a two-year contract extension last December.
Speaking on the Bulldogs’ annual SEN Membership Day, Grant spoke highly of Beveridge’s impact so far.
“We have so much belief in Luke, where he can take this team and how he has gone about it over a period of time,” Grant told Dwayne Russell.
“Internally, from our perspective, he was absolutely our person for the next period.
“We had a really good discussion about that through 2022, and landed in a great spot to be able to announce that.
“He’s now in his ninth year as our senior coach, and it sort of feels like he’s becoming a coach moving into his prime – which is hard to believe after eight years (and the success he’s had), but he’s got the team in a great space at the moment.”
Grant said the addition of Rory Lobb and consequently opting for a height-stacked forward-line was not a tactical decision, but was pleased with how the four talls worked together in Saturday’s practice match.
“It’s not something we sat down and said would be a strategic point of difference – I think the evolution of it was more just born out of a bit of need (for height) to start with,” he said.
“Obviously having Aaron up forward and then Jamarra coming through – it was ‘okay, how can we provide them with more support?’ That was part of the thinking around (Rory).
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“Rory is a unique player that can play both forward and ruck, so that’s why we went after him and he’s come in and filled that real need for us.
“What’s been really pleasing is that (Jamarra and Sam) have developed really quickly, which meant that all of four of them are really capable AFL players and all vying for positions in our forward-line.
“It creates this opportunity for us to think how we can use them differently - Luke and the coaches will work through that almost on a week-by-week, case-by-case basis.”
As part of SEN Membership Day, those who purchase a Bulldogs’ three-game general admission membership will get a FREE upgrade to a full-season home membership.
That’s access to nine games for the price of just three – with a saving of $110 – and includes a $20 Bulldogs Shop voucher to spend online or instore.
Unleash more with a Bulldogs’ membership. For more details, visit https://membership.westernbulldogs.com.au/sen.
