Luke Beveridge reveals biggest regrets about outburst at reporter Tom Morris that shocked the AFL

Western Bulldogs manager Luke Beveridge has admitted he is deeply sorry for his rash on Tom Morris after last season’s opening game against Melbourne, but maintains he will never speak to the journalist again so they can clear things up.

The Dogs boss squandered the former Fox Sports staffer after the 26-point loss on March 17, calling it a “disgrace” in a news conference that shocked the soccer world.

Beveridge was furious after Morris reported that he had controversially chosen not to select premiership-winning midfielder Lachie Hunter for the clash, tearing him apart as cameras rolled.

“You have the nerve to ask me a question and even be here,” Beveridge responded to Morris’s question about the pregame saga surrounding Hunter.

Beveridge’s mental health was thrown into question after he branded Tom Morris a “gutter journalist” in a heated exchange after the Bulldogs’ 2022 season opener.

Morris (pictured) was fired by Fox Sports shortly after the news conference when footage showed him making derogatory comments about women, Asians and gay people.

‘You have been taking advantage of us and causing confusion within our football club by declaring our team long before it needed to be declared.

Is that the street journalist you want to be?

“This is why in-game health and wellness is involved in all of these things because we have things to focus on performance-wise, we have to take care of our own and then you bring all this on… that happens behind scene and names appear on it.’

Asked if he had any concerns about the incident, Beveridge said: “I’m sorry about the way it was done, where it was done, how it was done, I’m sorry about all of that.”

‘It was absolutely the only time in my eight years [as Bulldogs coach] when I felt that I let down my club, myself, because others had to bear some of that criticism, not just me, and that’s what I felt most guilty about,” he told the media. herald sun.

The top-ranked manager said the Morris incident was the only time he felt he had let the club down in his eight years in charge.

There were calls for Beveridge to be fined up to $100,000 for his behavior.

The coach also has no plans to speak to Morris, despite feeling bad about the way he handled the episode.

“I have found it difficult, when people have become harsh, to forgive and move on unless someone has come to me later and told me to work this out. But no, there’s no need for me to be in touch,’ she explained.

Morris was fired by Fox less than 24 hours after the infamous spray, when footage surfaced showing him making derogatory comments about women, Asians and gay people, and revealing the sexuality of his colleague Megan Barnard.

Beveridge told the publication that he knew nothing about the incriminating videos until they were leaked to the public.

The 52-year-old said he had no idea about the incriminating footage of Morris until it was made public less than 24 hours after their confrontation at the news conference.

There were calls for the first-place winning manager to face a $100,000 fine over the incident and various footballing identities heavily criticized his behaviour, with great St Kilda commentator-turned Nick Riewoldt saying “Bevo went overboard stripe”.

Beveridge dismissed speculation that he was struggling mentally in the wake of the scandal.

‘I’m fine, I’m fine. I am energized. I have never felt healthier,” she said.

‘I couldn’t be more passionate about what I do and the players and I have a really strong connection.

I would (also) prefer to just leave it (the Morris situation) where it is based on everything that happened to him.

There is nothing to be gained by adding gasoline to what has already happened.