Captain Marcus Bontempelli perceives that adjustments within the Western Bulldogs’ setup have enhanced Coach Luke Beveridge’s rapport with his players, positioning him more effectively to guide the club’s future endeavors.
The prevalent tension between Beveridge and football boss Chris Grant, along with a restructuring that now has the coach reporting to Matt Egan, garnered significant attention during the off-season.
The Bulldogs underwent an external evaluation of their football department and made alterations to their assistant coaching staff, bringing in Daniel Pratt, Alex Johnson, and Jarryn Geary.
Bontempelli, who has been under Beveridge’s guidance for nine out of his ten seasons, feels that adjustments in the football department have enabled Beveridge to focus more on his players. “I’ve observed a greater availability, to some degree,” he noted. “At times, he’s had numerous responsibilities to handle and has tried to oversee many of our initiatives.”
“With the arrival of new individuals, I sense that he’s been given the chance to concentrate on other aspects, which I believe is beneficial. I can sense the optimism, energy, and his positive outlook towards our football season. So, whether it’s been a shift or simply an enhancement, that’s my perspective on it.”
“He was always deeply committed, but perhaps now he has a bit more time to primarily focus on his main role at the football club, which is to coach effectively and build connections with our players. It seems like he’s in an excellent position, and I believe we’ll all reap the rewards of that.”
When questioned about any tension prior to the changes, Bontempelli responded, “To be honest, I didn’t really notice any. The individuals we’ve brought in all have specific purposes and roles.
I sense that structurally, things appear to be more organized than before. We’ve significantly progressed our football program, which benefits all of us as players.”
Bontempelli highlighted the impact of the club’s relocation away from Whitten Oval due to redevelopment last year, suggesting it had its challenges. However, he noted that increased consistency during the preseason has been beneficial as they aim for a comeback to the finals. “Missing out on the finals last year is always disappointing for every player who doesn’t get the opportunity to participate. We’re all striving for improvement,” he stated. “So, physically and mentally, I believe the group is in a fairly good place.”
“We’ve seen a few adjustments and the introduction of new faces, which have quickly made positive contributions. Currently, there’s a high level of optimism about achieving a better start this year compared to last.”
