Beveridge: Viral Dogs’ video no problem

WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was “disappointed” footage that went viral of his team’s preliminary final celebrations was made public.

But the premiership coach was adamant the changeroom disco was more than worthy to recognise a “significant memory on our timeline” after his players advanced to the grand final.

The footy world reacted positively to video of the players enjoying their thrashing of Port Adelaide, dancing and singing in a room at Adelaide Oval, some with beers in hand.

Beveridge said his players, who have had to traverse the country with finals wins in Launceston, Brisbane and then Adelaide to get to the decider, had earned the right to celebrate. He said the club’s leadership was mature enough to recognise how important it was.

“I feel like, led by Marcus (Bontempelli), multiple lieutenants and players displaying leadership in our club, we are in a matureenough place to be able to do these sorts of things,” Beveridge said of the incident on Thursday.

“There’s a lot at stake for everyone, absolutely.

“But it’s fairly easy to condone that that’s going to be OK, let’s have a midstrength beer I might add, it’s OK to do that and celebrate together.

“One or two beers after the game is not going to affect things too much.”

A staff member from the Bulldogs was responsible for the video, shot on a phone, being released.

Beveridge said it hadn’t caused any “undue problems”, but he wouldn’t want it to happen again.

“I’m not upset, but we’re disappointed,” he said.

“Phones shouldn’t be used to record our players in the dressing room and definitely shouldn’t be sent to anyone. Has it caused any untold problems? No.”