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Beveridge out to spoil Demons party in AFL

3 minute read

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has remarkably close links with key personnel at his AFL club's grand final rivals Melbourne.

Bulldogs coach LUKE BEVERIDGE.
Bulldogs coach LUKE BEVERIDGE. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge wants to not only dash the dreams of his ex-club Melbourne, but also some of his greatest mates.

Beveridge played 41 games for the Demons from 1989-92 and remains firm friends with many of his teammates from the time.

He also has remarkably close links to some key personnel who have been pivotal in Melbourne reaching the September 25 grand final against the Dogs.

Beveridge has been mates with the Demons' national recruiting manager Jason Taylor since they were in prep school together.

And Melbourne's list manager Tim Lamb was Beveridge's "right-hand man" when he started coaching in the Victorian Amateur Football Association in 2006.

Beveridge also expects banter from a WhatsApp group he's in with some of his former Demons teammates.

"I love all the Melbourne boys I played with, they are special relationships when you start a career," Beveridge said.

"Matty Mahoney is a great mate of mine who now lives in Queensland, in this feed we have got Glenny Lovett who is in New York, Johnny Ahern, Paul Hopgood, Andy Lovell and Stevie Tingay.

"There's a lot of wind-up, there's a bit of fun.

"They are all great mates who I don''t see enough of."

Beveridge described Taylor and Lamb as close friends.

"Jason Taylor who I grew up with, we went to school together since we were in prep," he said.

"And Timmy Lamb, who is their list manager, was my right hand man and reserves coach when I coached St Bedes.

"So they are two great mates of mine.

"As much as I would love for them to salute at some point, I definitely don't want (them) to in two weeks' time."

Beveridge coached the Bulldogs to the 2016 premiership - just the club's second flag since entering the VFL in 1925.

That 2016 triumph ended a 62-year premiership drought for the Dogs.

This year, the Demons are seeking their first premiership since 1964.

"Like us in '16, the Demons have had to wait for a long time," Beveridge said.

"So I probably imagine the emotion and the public support will be behind the Demons to break the drought. I get that, I understand that.

"But obviously we will be doing our best to spoil the party."

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