Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli admits he couldn’t help but at least feel a little responsible for the vulnerability Luke Beveridge experienced in 2019.
It has become apparent that Beveridge was the subject of an offer from a rival club last season before he sought assurances from the Bulldogs which ultimately came in the form of a new contract.
Beveridge admitted he “felt vulnerable” within his own club, something Bontempelli empathised with.
Asked on SEN Breakfast if he could sense any tension around the coach during that time, Bontempelli said: “Not that he indicated.
“It probably speaks volumes of his character that he was maintaining the same sort of level-headedness and the emotional connection with the group, as he always has.
“It’s a credit to him.
“It makes me feel, as a player, that to some extent you let your coach feel that vulnerable. You definitely feel, in part, somewhat responsible.”
The overtures reportedly came just after their bye round when the Dogs were sitting 15th on the ladder with a record of 5-8.
Amid the coach’s uncertainty, the Bulldogs would win seven of their next nine to qualify for the finals, prompting further praise from the club's star midfielder.
“I guess I feel really proud of our efforts as a football club to keep everything on an even keel to continue to make something of the season,” Bontempelli added.
“To think that to some extent we finished the year really well and it’s obviously kept ‘Bevo’ feeling more safe and secure (which) is a really good thing for us.
“We obviously love him as a person, we love him as a coach and to know that he felt secure after that period was a good thing for us.”
The Bulldogs, with a fully assured Beveridge at the helm, kick off the 2020 season with a tantalising clash with Collingwood at Marvel Stadium next Friday night.
