AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has confirmed that Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge will face no further sanctions for berating a journalist during a post-match press conference.
Beveridge issued a public apology yesterday to Fox Footy journalist Tom Morris for his furious response to a question asked by Morris following the Western Bulldogs’ season-opening loss to Melbourne on Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs also announced that it would donate $20,000 to Orygen, an organisation that does work in youth mental health as part of its response to Beveridge’s actions.
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Despite there being calls for Beveridge to be hit with hefty fines and other potential sanctions, McLachlan said the AFL was comfortable that the matter was now resolved.
“I think it’s been dealt with. It was a sincere apology yesterday,” he told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.
“There’s a broader club accountability that we’re across with the $20,000 going to a charity. So I feel that the issue has been handled appropriately.
“He’s taken accountability for it, which is all you can do. He’s taken full accountability for his behaviour.
“He said (his actions) were inappropriate and they were a poor reflection on his club, and I reckon he’s sincere in that accountability. That’s the appropriate part here.”
McLachlan also pushed back at a suggestion from veteran columnist Caroline Wilson that Beveridge was no longer fit to be the senior coach of an AFL club.
“I don’t think the Bulldogs feel that,” he said. “He clearly was in an emotive state, let’s accept that.
“I think the leap to him being unable to lead men is a big leap. Luke has taken swift and full accountability for his behaviour and once people do that then perceptions change.
“The fact that Luke has taken accountability and said it was unacceptable and he got it wrong. Caroline certainly thinks there’s a broader pressure there, but if people take accountability then positions change.”
McLachlan confirmed that the AFL had reached out to Morris to check on his wellbeing in the wake of Beveridge’s tirade.
The clash between Beveridge and Morris has raised questions over the timing of coaches’ post-match press conferences, and McLachlan said the league was happy with when such press conferences currently take place.
“It’s a fair question,” he admitted.
“(Coaches) have conversations with media managers and others and there is a reasonable time (to cool down). They want to go home as well, they want to move on and start planning for next week.
“It is part of the game too. Our supporters and others want to hear from the coaches and understand what’s in their minds.”