Caroline Wilson lashes Luke Beveridge over ‘disgraceful’ press conference
Caroline Wilson says Luke Beveridge fell apart during his extraordinary exchange with a journalist on Wednesday night and needs to consider whether he is “equipped” to keep coaching the Western Bulldogs if that’s how he’s going to act.
She has called on the Western Bulldogs to step up and “do something” about the situation.
Beveridge let rip on Fox Footy’s Tom Morris following the Bulldogs’ first-round loss to Melbourne, calling him a “gutter journalist” and “embarrassment” after he accurately reported a selection story earlier in the week.
Beveridge said the “health and wellbeing” of people in the game was at stake.
Caroline Wilson said that was a disgraceful assertion from Beveridge, given the nature of the report, and he should cop a “six-figure” fine, as well as apologise personally to the reporter.
Press PLAY below to hear Caroline Wilson’s strong views
She said the coach was clearly feeling the heat and his reaction was “not normal” given the situation.
“I think Luke Beveridge needs to look at whether he is equipped to coach,” Caroline Wilson told Neil Mitchell.
“What we saw last night is a man unravelling.
“I’m quite serious about this.
“Who invokes the mental health and wellbeing card over a selection story?
“I have never seen anything so disgraceful in all my years covering football.
“It is a man who is clearly not coping.”
Caroline Wilson urged journalists to boycott Beveridge’s media appearances, if the situation isn’t suitably addressed.
“He doesn’t have a right to perform in public, if that’s what he is going to do,” she said.
She also expressed her disappointment at the lack of action from the club.
“The Bulldogs need to step up and do something here,” she said.