Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has expressed his frustration after a video of his players celebrating their preliminary final win was leaked on social media.
The Bulldogs booked their ticket to the grand final with an incredible 71-point upset win over Port Adelaide last weekend after being rank underdogs in the lead-up.
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Following the match, a video surfaced on social media of raucous scenes inside the Bulldogs’ rooms as the players danced to 90s pop hit Freed from Desire, a song that has become popular among English football fans.
While the video was met with a lot of positive reaction from the football world, Beveridge was not impressed with someone from the inner sanctum sharing what was supposed to be a private celebration.
“I’m not upset, but we’re disappointed,” Beveridge said.
“Phones shouldn’t be used to record our player in the dressing room and definitely shouldn’t be sent to anyone. Has it caused any untold problems? No.
“I’m OK with people knowing that when we achieve a little milestone, when we create a significant memory on our timeline, that we celebrate it.
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“The game can’t be too clinical, we’ve got make sure we enjoy the times together and that helps you for your next challenge.”
The Bulldogs have easily clocked up the most travel time during this post-season, travelling from Melbourne to Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia and Beveridge said his players were entitled to let their hair down.
“I feel like, led by Marcus [Bontempelli], multiple lieutenants and players displaying leadership in our club, we are in a mature-enough place to be able to do these sorts of things,” Beveridge said on Thursday.
“There’s a lot at stake for everyone, absolutely. But it’s fairly easy to condone that that’s going to be OK, let’s have a mid-strength beer I might add, it’s OK to do that and celebrate together.
“One or two beers after the game is not going to affect things too much.
“It’s where we’ve got to, not that we haven’t done it in the past, and it is an important part of our environment and make-up and an aspect of what we do that means our players enjoy playing for our footy club.”