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by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The Western Bulldogs have appointed Luke Beveridge as senior coach for the next three years. Beveridge has been the back line coach at Hawthorn for the past three years and was set to become director of coaching at St Kilda. Assistant coach Brett Montgomery was an early favorite, but his bid was unsuccessful. Beveridge will not be making any changes to the current coaching panel. Following a systematic and thorough process, Beveridge received the unanimous endorsement of the selection committee, led by Chris Grant and included Chief Executive Simon Garlick, John Worsfold, Luke Darcy and GM Football Graham Lowe. The recommendation of the sub-committee was unanimously endorsed by the club board. The committee was assisted by a recruitment consulting firm.

CEO Simon Garlick said the club felt that Beveridge was the right person to take the club forward in their bid for success saying “Luke has built a reputation ... for his ability to forge strong relationships and for his overall strategic view on the game ... His vision ... and his track-record of driving successful cultures were persuasive to us." Garlick was referring to the success both Collingwood (2010) and Hawthorn have achieved during Beveridge's tenures at those clubs. Prior to that, he coached a VAFA team to three premierships.

In accepting the position, Beveridge said the club had to pick itself up after a tumultuous month in October, which saw the departures of Adam Cooney, Liam Jones, Jason Tutt and 2014 Captain Ryan Griffen. He acknowledged the public perception of a club in crisis, but his focus now was on the future. The first step in that direction is the appointment of a new captain. Beveridge believes it needs to be someone who is right for the position regardless of how long that person retains the role. "My philosophy is that you have to appoint the person who is right ... at the time" whether it be for one year or longer. If it is for one year, that is OK, as long as they're the right person."

Beveridge said a sense of nostalgia had attracted him to the Bulldogs, for whom he played 31 games for in 1994 and 1995 during a career that spanned 118 games over three clubs. He also said the club had a "homely feel" and held similar values to his, centering on family and culture. He said his coaching style had evolved over the years, going "from ... very adventurous ... to a bit more rounded, so ... I consider myself as a coach that adapts my style and my planning to my playing group and their capabilities." Garlick concurred saying Beveridge could make the "tough decisions" and "articulate what he stands for and what's in the best interests of the club."

Beveridge, 44, played 42 games with Melbourne 1989-92, 41 games with Footscray (now Bulldogs) 1993-96 and 45 games with St Kilda 1996-99. After the announcement, St Kilda issued a statement congratulating Beveridge on his appointment. They did express some disappointment that he would not be joining them, but acknowledged his credentials as a potential senior coach and were aware that he was being considered by the Bulldogs. They had already planned accordingly and are seeking someone else for the position.

Source: afl.com.au, Denis Bicer, WB Media Release, Luke Holmesby, St Kilda Media Release

The Gold Coast Suns have finalized their coaching appointments with the addition of former Saint and Blue Matthew Lappin as development coach.

Lappin, who played 251 games for the Saints and Carlton, has spent the past four years as the forward coach at Collingwood, where he formed a strong relationship with newly appointed senior coach Rodney Eade. Ashley Prescott, who played for the Tigers and Dockers, has moved from his role as development coach to an assistant position. General Manager of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft, welcomed Lappin to the club, saying he "brings a wealth of experience" due to his seven seasons with Carlton and Collingwood.

Source: Sean Tobin, GC Media Release

Article last changed on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 - 5:48 AM EST


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