Senior Coach Luke Beveridge has spoken on behalf of the Western Bulldogs, extending the entire club’s condolences to Hawthorn Assistant Coach Brett Ratten and his family, following the tragic passing of son Cooper at the weekend.

Speaking in his post match press conference after the Bulldogs’ Sunday afternoon win over Melbourne, Beveridge expressed his heartfelt sympathies to his former coaching colleague at Waverley Park.

“Condolences to the Ratten family, Rats is a great friend of mine, he’s got such a big heart and it’s really sad news that young Cooper has passed.”

Beveridge and Ratten were both assistant coaches under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn during the premiership years of 2013 and 2014.