Luke Beveridge spoke to the media after Saturday’s three-point loss to Richmond, and westernbulldogs.com.au highlights some of the key takeaways.
On the Tigers
A proud coach reflected on his team’s efforts on Saturday afternoon, getting within three-points of toppling the reigning premiers on their home ground.
“It was a good outing and we challenged them. They’re obviously a very good side.
“We come away pretty disappointed, pretty gutted about not getting the result, sort of semi-fulfilled. We didn’t play too bad.”
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The last month
The Bulldogs finished the season with a 3-1 record over the final month. Beveridge spoke about what the club was trying to get out of the back end of the season.
“We focused on trying to establish some kind of foothold on playing together in a manner that we can take forward.
“For the boys to do that for the last month, it’s good for our players because that group haven’t played a lot of footy together
“At different stages, especially in the back half of the year, we haven’t had so many resources and the boys are left and playing in the 22, to be able to grind it out and really focus on trying to improve individually and collectively I’m pretty satisfied with their performances. It is encouraging for next year.”
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Patrick Lipinski
The young Dog was stretchered off in last quarter after a head clash with teammate Bailey Williams Beveridge provided an update on his condition.
“He’s ok. It was really precautionary. Even the stretcher… he felt fine, head-wise. As they do, you’ve got to always be a little bit paranoid about the spine and in particular the neck and so they just took precautions.
There’s nothing to gain really from him walking off in Round 23 so I’m glad that they took him off on the stretcher and he was done for the day. I think he’ll be fine from what our medics are talking about at the moment.
Seems like he’d be able to play next week if we were in it.
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Bright future
Beveridge heaped praise on how his player have responded to the challenges 2018 has thrown at them.
“I said in the press conference yesterday that the team that run’s out in Round 1 next year won’t be the same as this team, and so the young fellas that have had a look at it, acclimatised or not acclimatised to the level have worked out what they need to work on with their teammates and their coaches and all our staff.
“It’s given them perspective and a really good look at what they might offer in the future, those young players.
“They’ve really been forced into it, a handful of them, so I couldn’t be prouder of them. 18/19 year-olds playing against experienced, bigger, stronger opponents, for them to fight the good fight and do their bit for the team, they’ve been outstanding.”
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Jack Redpath
Beveridge responded to speculation that Jack Redpath is set to announce his retirement.
“Jack will come in and talk Tuesday.
“Jack loves the football club, loves his teammates, we’ve supported him, we’ve nurtured him. Jack’s one of the most unfortunate players in the competition because he’s had serious knee injuries.
“We love him, he loves the club. There’s a chance he’ll retire and we’ll make an announcement if that’s the case. We’d love him to go on, but if physically he’s unable to, then we’ve just got to work through that.”
