Club manager Ameet Bains says that while there were genuine and necessary tensions inside the Western Bulldogs football department, they have also subsided since the previous season.
Following a heartbreaking and “delicate” reorganization at the Bulldogs, the CEO supported coach Luke Beveridge in his attempt to get the team back to the finals, stating that he would provide stronger support for the premiership mentor following a dismal 2023 campaign.
Although Bains vehemently denied that Matt Egan’s appointment as general manager of football operations, after the club’s review, was made to put distance between the coach and longtime director of football Chris Grant, he did say that Beveridge would benefit from having Egan as a “buffer” within the football department.
Bains said on Tuesday on SEN’s Whately program, “I don’t think (Egan’s appointment) is a buffer in terms of what’s required between the pair, it’s certainly a buffer in terms of what the program needs, and that’s to have another senior leader within the football program.”
Referring back to the earlier query on that ambiguity, I believe there has been (strain) in several areas simply generally within the department.
“I believe that’s greatly exaggerated, but I was on record a few weeks ago rejecting some of the suggestions about there being a blow-up (between Beveridge and Grant) and an unworkable breakdown and things like that.”
Although Beveridge’s close friend and legendary Bulldog Rohan Smith left the team after 12 years as an assistant coach, Bains called the personnel overhaul and restructure during the off-season a “delicate” matter and expressed confidence that the coach would start the new season with greater support from the revamped squad.
It’s human nature, I believe, to be extremely worried about what’s going to happen next, which is why I think it’s been sensitive with everyone, especially during that time last year when there was a lot of change and uncertainty, Bains said.
“It’s reasonable to say that was last year. As we approach the new year and discuss the upcoming season, it’s been really encouraging.
“I believe that many of the people who have attended our club have been able to almost have a cathartic experience, talking about it and getting things off their chest, thanks to the process we’ve gone through.”
The Bulldogs, who hope to become a 60,000-member team for the first time in 2024, will play Hawthorn in both their official and unofficial preseason games this month. Bains described this arrangement as the “last two left at the dance,” as other teams have more complicated travel schedules before the Opening Round.
Although Aaron Naughton’s eight-year contract took up a significant amount of cap space, Bains stated that there were “conversations in train” about re-signing injured midfielder Bailey Smith early in the season while he heals from his ACL tear. He also expressed no concern about losing Tim English or Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who are both out of contract.
“I don’t believe that the Naughton contract prevents us from signing either of those players the way we think is right or desirable,” Bains stated.
“Now that both have shown a desire to stay, we only need to finalize their contracts. That’s the beginning point.
