Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has apologised for a heated outburst directed at Fox Sports journalist Tom Morris during a post-game press conference. Beveridge criticised Morris for an accurate report about premiership midfielder Lachie Hunter being dropped for the season opener, labelling Morris a “gutter journalist” in a three-minute tirade.
After the incident overshadowed the AFL season opener, in which Melbourne defeated the Bulldogs by 26 points, Beveridge offered a written apology. He said: “I have reflected on my comments and actions ... and acknowledge that my exchange with journalist Tom Morris overstepped the mark. I want to apologise for my behaviour. ... While I was highly emotional in the moments after a difficult loss, it is no excuse to let those emotions spill over.”
Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler condemned the conduct, stating that Beveridge’s behaviour was not reflective of the club’s values. She noted that everyone is entitled to a respectful workplace and that Beveridge’s passion crossed a line. The club has agreed with the AFL to donate $20,000 to a youth mental health charity as a result of the incident.
The controversy began when Hunter was named in the team but later demoted to medical sub, then promoted again after an injury to Jason Johannisen. Morris’s report on the situation aired on Fox Footy, drawing Beveridge’s ire. Separately, Fox Sports stood down Morris pending an investigation into an unrelated inappropriate audio recording that emerged on Thursday.
