Luke Beveridge, the coach of the Western Bulldogs, has banned his two players….
Luke Beveridge, the coach of the Western Bulldogs, has taken exception at “disrespectful” remarks made about Bailey Smith once it was disclosed that the injured star had been battling sickness.
The 22-year-old will likely not play against Sydney on Thursday night after having a difficult game against Collingwood last Friday, when the Bulldogs defeated them by a score of 12 points. He finished with just 11 disposals.
Following the Collingwood match, there has been talk in the media about a possible club relocation.
Beveridge, however, called the remarks “pungent” and stated that the midfield player had not performed at his peak offensively for a reason.
“There are so many topics that people are ignorant about, and all you can do is cause harm if you lack knowledge or understanding about them.
We’ve had a great record with our players here, so it’s insulting to speculate about whether or not he should be at another club.
Due to the unexplained sickness, Smith was unable to participate in the Bulldogs’ Tuesday primary practice. According to Mitch Cleary, football reporter for 7NEWS, Smith will require a “huge turnaround” in order to travel with the team on Wednesday.
Since the Bulldogs selected the young player in the 2018 draft, his fame has exploded, making him one of the most recognizable figures in Australian sports.He made an immediate impression on the field for the Dogs, leading the team in their incredible run to the 2021 grand final.
Smith has a sizable social media following and a close relationship with younger followers due to his candid discussions about his struggles with mental health.
The AFL suspended him for two games last year for acting in an unsportsmanlike manner following the release of images and videos showing him taking illegal substances.
“There is no denying the young man’s ability to be a really significant participant in the tournament,” Beveridge remarked.
“He’s faced some serious difficulties; he’s been transparent about his mental health issues, and he’s clearly missed some time due to injuries.
“All we’ve ever done here is take care of Bailey, and even on Monday, we were having a great conversation between us.
