‘Got six years in this briefcase’: Eagles pitch that could lure Bevo as ‘tricky’ standoff looms

The Western Bulldogs have been urged to extend senior coach Luke Beveridge’s contract beyond 2025 or risk an approach from West Coast.

The Dogs’ season ended at the hands of Hawthorn in last Friday night’s elimination final in yet another short-lived post-season run from Beveridge’s side in recent years despite a strong second half of 2024.

Only in the Dogs’ 2016 premiership season and 2021 grand final campaign has the club won finals under Beveridge across seven post-season campaigns.

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And so the Dogs have a big call to make on the future of Beveridge, who’s been at the helm at Whitten Oval since 2015, or risk the situation becoming a distraction next season.

“Next year is the last year of his contract, so it’s an awkward time to get this same result. If the Dogs succeed to any degree in this finals series, it’s easy to extend,” Fox Footy AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley said on Monday night of the Beveridge contract handlings.

“There’s a phobia having coaches in the last year of their contract because of all that is external and how that can infect the internal.

“So it becomes a really tricky, strategic scenario for all of them before they front up again next season.”

Chief Herald Sun reporter Mark Robinson believes the Dogs should re-sign Beveridge over the summer to “avoid” any interruptions to their 2025 campaign.

“If you think he’s the man, extend him for one year, do what the Dockers and Justin Longmuir did (before this season),” Robinson said on AFL 360.

“Do it this week or next week and get rid of the whole summer of discussion and whatever happens the start of next year.”

Whateley’s “one rider,” however, was the potential for the Eagles to swoop in amid the club’s search for its next senior coach after parting ways with Adam Simpson earlier this season.

The Eagles are reportedly confident they’ll appoint their next coach before next month’s trade period, with Melbourne assistant Andrew McQualter, Cats assistant Steven King, Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade and Giants assistant Brent Montgomery linked to the role.

“If I’m Eagles CEO Don Pyke I’m on a plane and having a clandestine meeting with Beveridge on Wednesday,” Whateley said.

“I would say: ‘I’ve got six years in this briefcase. Do you want to take your chance on one or do you want to come with me for six?’ I’d ask.”

But Robinson thinks Beveridge wouldn’t depart the kennel with a year remaining on his deal given his loyalty.

“If there’s one person as loyal as Ken Hinkley, that is Luke Beveridge. Every single person at the Dogs would tell you that … I find him a man of immense integrity,” Robinson said.

“I can’t see him cutting and running for West Coast with a year to run on his contract.”