New Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says it is with a sense of nostalgia that he has returned to the Whitten Oval.
Beveridge, 44, was confirmed on Friday as the replacement for Brendan McCartney, who departed the Bulldogs last month despite having two years left on his contract.
“It’s with a sense of nostalgia actually that I come back to the football club after being a player from ’93 to ’95. I come back here with a significant degree of excitement,” Beveridge said in an address to club members.
“I am really excited by the prospect of working with the current group of players. There is a lot of experience, some exciting young talent and a great group of coaches who work at the football club.
“The prospect of what we might be able to produce next year on the football field is enticing and I am really looking forward to sinking my teeth into the work, building capability into the group and seeing how far we can take it in the short to medium term.”
On the day the Dogs announced McCartney’s departure and discussed the impending exit of skipper Ryan Griffen, club president Peter Gordon made it clear he felt the club’s playing list was capable of featuring in the finals for much of the next decade.
Beveridge’s appointment means Neil Craig, who had emerged as a coaching candidate, will remain at Essendon as their head of coaching development and strategy.
Beveridge had been Hawthorn’s backline coach and was set to join St Kilda as their head of coaching before the Bulldogs role opened up.
He began his AFL career with Melbourne, playing 42 matches as a rover and forward between 1989-92 before linking with the Dogs, where he managed 31 matches. He joined St Kilda in time for the 1996 season, and added 45 matches before his career ended in 1999.
Beveridge had two years as player development manager at Collingwood in 2009-10, playing a role in the club’s premiership. He joined the Hawks in 2012.
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