'Just listen': AFL coach in testy exchange with journalists
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he's fed up with being asked when prized No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will make his AFL debut.
The talented key forward, who has been compared to Lance Franklin, is being made to earn his spot in a Bulldogs side on track for a top-four finish.
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When ruck-forward Tim English (concussion) was ruled out of the Bulldogs' blockbuster Friday night clash with Richmond, Ugle-Hagan was floated for a potential first game under the bright lights at the MCG.
But tall forward Josh Schache was one of four inclusions over the 19-year-old, with the Tigers storming home to win by 22 points and end the Bulldogs' unbeaten start to the season.
Beveridge was quizzed on Ugle-Hagan's future prospects in the post-game press conference and offered some blunt feedback.
"You (journalists) just persist with these questions about Jamarra, don't you? Did you see our emergencies? Well, have a look at them - he's (Ugle-Hagan) named," Beveridge said.
"Would we name if he's a long way off? Did you hear my press conference the other day? Can you guys just listen to press conferences so you don't keep asking the same questions?
"I've answered this question - it seems like I'm getting defensive - but when you answer the same question every time I'm in a room with you guys.
"You've got to imagine it gets frustrating because you guys don't do your research and don't look at what's happening."
Duryea on Luke Beveridge: "He's a deep thinker, he's philosophical, he loves to read, so he can bring so many things to the group, and he's got a group willing to listen and buy into it.
"He's his own man, which we love."— Garry and Tim (@SENBreakfast) April 27, 2021
Schache, who was taken by the Brisbane Lions with pick two in the 2015 draft, was quiet with seven touches and kicked a late goal.
"He's been out for a while and it's difficult to come in and take an absolute stranglehold of the whole thing," Beveridge said.
"He didn't probably have the impact that he's capable of, and that's difficult for him, because he hasn't played a lot of AFL in recent times.
"We'll talk to him about that, lift his spirits, and see what happens next week."
The Bulldogs will be looking to respond from their first defeat since last year's elimination final when they take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
Bulldogs overrun by ruthless Richmond Tigers
Staring down the barrel of a fourth loss in five weeks, the Tigers recovered from a 25-point deficit midway through the second quarter to stun the Bulldogs by 22 points at the MCG on Friday night.
Instead of dropping to 3-4 ahead of next week's grand final rematch with Geelong, Dustin Martin-less Richmond earned their fourth win of the season the hard way, winning 11.11 (77) to 7.13 (55) in front of 52,402 fans.
Tigers spearhead Tom Lynch, who this week came under fire for his output this season, starred up forward by responding from an inaccurate first-half to finish with 3.5 and 12 marks.
The Tigers hit top-gear during a third-quarter blitz, booting five straight goals and dominating the inside-50 count 18-5 for the term.
Richmond's Liam Baker kicked the opening goal of the last quarter, but recalled Bulldogs forward Josh Schache cut the margin back to five points.
Veteran defender Bachar Houli stepped up when the Tigers needed him, with his set-shot from 50 metres bouncing over the line untouched.
Electric speedster Shai Bolton put the final nail in the Bulldogs' coffin by kicking the next two goals.
"What I really enjoyed is we had players that are capable of stepping up and fulfilling roles and they did that really, really well," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.
"Don't get me wrong, we've got some good players out of the side, but we've also got some great players in the side, too.
"Tommy Lynch responded really well and looked a dominant big man inside-50."
Marcus Bontempelli's missed set-shot on the halftime siren proved costly, with the Bulldogs captain blowing a golden opportunity to put the Bulldogs 24 points up at the main break.
If the Bulldogs had continued their winning ways, it would have been the first time since 1987 they had won seven straight games.
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