Western Bulldogs coach's fury over leaked changeroom footage
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he's "disappointed" by a leaked video of his players celebrating in the changeroom after their preliminary finals thrashing of Port Adelaide.
Footage posted online shows Bulldogs players dancing, drinking beer and singing the team song in the sheds after their 71-point thrashing of the Power that sealed their spot in Saturday week's grand final against Melbourne.
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Beveridge says the footage was captured by a club staff member, who he reprimanded for filming it in the first place, let alone sharing it online.
🐶 Absolute scenes! The Dogs are freed from desire!
The Western Bulldogs were going off after their huge prelim win. SOUND UP 🔊
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📩 Sports newsletter: https://t.co/pA3fYgbMqA pic.twitter.com/hE5v0thH3D— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) September 12, 2021
"I am not upset but we're disappointed," Beveridge told reporters on Thursday.
"It's an internal thing. Unfortunately it was a staff member.
"And ... phones shouldn't be used to record our players in the dressing room and definitely shouldn't be sent to anyone.
"Has it caused any untold problems? No.
"I'm okay with people knowing that when we achieve a little milestone, when we create a significant memory on our timeline, that we celebrate it.
"The game can't be too clinical. We have got to make sure that we enjoy the times together.
"... We will live and learn as a group and hopefully it doesn't happen again."
Bulldogs coach defends celebrations
While the Bulldogs still have the biggest task ahead of them in the AFL decider against the Demons, the coach says he sees nothing wrong with them celebrating such a resounding win over the Power in Adelaide.
"I have, and we have, initiated different iterations of our leadership program over the journey," he said.
"At times we probably haven't been in the place that we'd like to be with that.
"Led by (captain) Marcus (Bontempelli), multiple lieutenants and players displaying leadership in our club, I feel we're in a really good place to be mature enough to do these sorts of things.
"There's a lot at stake, absolutely, for everyone. But it's a fairly easy decision to make, to condone that that is going to be okay."
Beveridge insisted that the players and staff only had one or two mid-strength beers and any carrying injuries refrained from drinking alcohol.
"One or two beers after the game isn't going to affect things too much," he said.
"And obviously the boys who might have an injury, if there's a corkie or a soft tissue issue, then they wouldn't be having a beer, they would be having a water or a soft drink.
"It's probably where we have got to, not that we haven't done it in the past.
"And it is an important part of our environment and our make-up and an aspect of what we do that makes our players enjoy playing for our footy club."
with AAP
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