Luke Beveridge was left stunned by Alastair Clarkson’s abrupt exit from North Melbourne, admitting fears for potential future AFL coaches.
Clarkson was officially sacked on Wednesday despite having a year to run on his contract, with the club expected to pay him out to the tune of $1 million.
Alastair Clarkson. Getty Images
Kangaroos bosses fronted media to explain the situation and said it was a results-based decision, with North again missing the finals under Clarkson in 2026.
But the reaction across the game was that of disbelief, given Clarkson’s standing as a four-time premiership winner with Hawthorn, as well as the fact he had helped turn the Kangaroos around during his four-year tenure.
Speaking to media, Beveridge said he was “feeling for” Clarkson after the pair spent time together at the Hawks.
“Really? Geez … I could say so much, but I’d prefer to say very little because what can you say?” the Western Bulldogs coach said.
“Clarko’s been an amazing coach and custodian of the game … really outspoken and someone who’s pushed his own opinions to make the game better.
“I spent three years with him at the Hawks, had a really successful time and got enormous value and experience out of that. He’s a resilient and durable guy.
“I’m feeling for him after that news. We all know that he’s going to be OK.”
He then turned his attention to the wider coaching landscape in the AFL.
Beveridge admitted the “culture” had changed in recent years to the point where the pressure is never-ending, mimicking some overseas competitions.
“I think the difficult thing with what we’re all doing is it’s a different culture now in our code,” the Bulldogs mentor explained.
“We’ve almost become like the EPL, where a coach’s tenure and your own coaching mortality is speculated about a lot more than it used to be – as opposed to, say, the NFL, where you can have a winning season and that’s considered a success.
Luke Beveridge speaks to media. Western Bulldogs
“What I’m concerned about is the next generation of senior coaches. Do they actually really want to put them in the situation where, from the start of their tenure, their vocational sustainability is speculated upon?
“It’s not a nice place to live. I used that word ‘disconcerting’. That’s probably an appropriate word for it. Ultimately, there’s always pressure, whether you’re winning or losing … but it’s just whether or not you feel that pressure.
“That situation for any senior coach is always an ongoing challenge, and you’re either built for it, or you’re not.”
Beveridge will prepare to lead the Dogs into an elimination final clash with the Adelaide Crows, whose coach Matthew Nicks is also under extreme pressure, on Saturday night.
It comes after a dramatic 96-93 victory over Collingwood in the wildcard round.