Dogs put bite on West

WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has urged former teammate Scott West to keep his criticism of the club’s selection policies private for the benefit of his son’s welfare.

The Bulldogs have rallied around young midfielder Rhylee West after his father, who won seven best and fairests at the kennel, hit out at Beveridge on Facebook for making his son Rhylee the medical substitute on Sunday against Carlton. West said the move was “absolutely disgraceful management” of his son.

Beveridge this week spoke to Scott West and asked him to pick up the phone next time he had any concerns about his son’s game time.

Beveridge said the Dogs have made a big effort this week to support Rhylee, 20, to address any embarrassment or disappointment he may have experienced as a result of his father’s social media spray.

“Rhylee and I have come together and our relationship is extremely strong. In a sense, I feel like a little bit of a father figure to Rhylee at times,” Beveridge said.

“It is just reassuring him that everything is going to be OK.

“Probably the sensitivity around something like that being made public everyone is really wary and cautious and definitely emotional towards Rhylee to make sure everything has been OK.

“Likewise, people have been extending that empathetic voice towards me as well, because it is something that should be private (that) went public.

“That happens from time to time and for Rhylee’s sake I hope that we just move on because he is just scratching the surface in his career and there will be some disappointment throughout his career.

“A lot of the boys have been through it and when you are fielding strong sides from week-to-week unfortunately and occasionally some of the lads are missing out.”

Beveridge said he had been “really close mates” with Scott West, but conceded it was “not wise” to elaborate further.

It is understood West and Beveridge have spoken about the Facebook post. West has since deleted it.

The Dogs have attracted criticism for making some surprise selection decisions, including leaving vice-captain Mitch Wallis in the VFL.