Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge delivered a candid address at the club’s Charles Sutton Medal ceremony, openly addressing the team’s premature end to the season and discouraging applause when discussing their disappointing performance. He emphasised the club’s high standards, highlighting that while individual achievements were celebrated, the overall team results were below expectations.
This season marked a historically disappointing moment for the Bulldogs as they became the first team to win 14 matches yet still fail to reach the finals under the current AFL format, finishing ninth with a record of 14 wins and 9 losses—just four points shy of the top eight.
Beveridge noted a contrast between this season and last, stating that despite having the same number of wins, the team had shown growth through more competitive losses. He reflected on last year’s struggles, mentioning “seven disappointing games,” and pointed out that this year featured “seven tragic periods in-game” which led to narrow losses, though they remained competitive in those matches. He firmly stated that the Bulldogs were predominantly “right in the game” in seven of their nine defeats, except for two matches against Collingwood and Geelong, which they were competitive in throughout.
As some in attendance began to applaud, Beveridge swiftly interrupted, asserting, “No, no, don’t clap because that’s mediocrity,” before acknowledging the sentiment while reiterating their ninth-place finish.
He reinforced that the Bulldogs’ standards have elevated over the last decade, declaring that the true measure of success for the team is to contend for premierships. Beveridge expressed the players’ disappointment and sense of torment surrounding their missed finals opportunity, acknowledging their need for more victories to secure a place in the subsequent series.
In conclusion, he conveyed a collective aspiration for greater accomplishments, highlighting a shared determination to learn from this season’s shortcomings and aiming for higher achievements in the future.