The Western Bulldogs Football Club is pleased to announce that Luke Beveridge has agreed to a two-year extension as senior coach.
The premiership winner will coach into a 12th season and beyond, having already become the longest-serving coach in Club history last year, surpassing Ted Whitten Snr’s 228-game milestone.
Since taking the helm in 2015, Beveridge has won one premiership, taken his side to two Grand Finals and 13 finals (both Club records), and holds the highest winning percentage (56.58%) among anyone who has coached 100 or more games for the red, white and blue.
Beveridge also claimed back-to-back AFL Coaches’ Association Coach of the Year awards in his first two seasons.
Bulldogs President Kylie Watson-Wheeler said the club is delighted that Beveridge will be continuing as senior coach for at least the next two seasons.
“The extension of Luke’s contract as senior coach is demonstrative of the trust, connection and partnership we have with him. Luke is a once-in-a-generation coach at our Club. His commitment to the Bulldogs is unwavering,” Watson-Wheeler said.
“The considered process we have undertaken has resulted in the unanimous endorsement of the board and the unified belief that he is the best person to drivesustained success at the Bulldogs.
“As the game evolves, Luke continues to deliver a cutting-edge brand of footy and finds new ways to challenge and motivate our exciting playing group. We’re optimistic about the future under his continued leadership.”
Beveridge said he couldn’t be prouder to remain at Mission Whitten Oval into the future.
“It is the right time to thank the playing group and our staff for their commitment to growth and their willingness to explore their best and discover the possibilities outside of their comfort zone. The evolution of our people in recent times has been quite dramatic with the promise you see in each other starting to shine through,” Beveridge said.
“I appreciate the ongoing collaboration and support Kylie, Luke (Darcy) and Ameet (Bains) provided as we sought to establish stability and a meaningful strategic foothold that will set us up for our next successful period.
“I am honoured to renew my commitment to our great Club beyond this year as I endeavour to be the best leader, ambassador and coach that I can be for our people, our members and those who support us.”
Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said the extension provided valuable certainty as the Club looks to build on a competitive first half of the season.
“This extension - the result of a considered and communicative process - means our men’s footy program can progress with confidence and stability as we look forward to the second half of this season and beyond,” Bains said.
