Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge’s terse response to claims key player Marcus Bontempelli was benched too long in AFL elimination final loss to Hawthorn

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has dismissed doubts over Marcus Bontempelli’s fitness after the Brownlow Medal fan suffered a rare off night in the season-ending defeat to Hawthorn.

Dogs captain Bontempelli managed just four possessions during the crucial second and third quarters at the MCG on Friday night, putting the elimination final out of sight.

The 28-year-old star player tried desperately to get his team back into the race at the start of the final period, but the damage had already been done.

The Bulldogs eventually lost 14.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) – their fifth elimination final defeat in the past decade.

Beveridge was repeatedly questioned about Bontempelli after he was largely ineffective during key parts of the elimination final.

However, the Dogs boss praised Bontempelli’s efforts in the final quarter and denied claims that a prolonged stay on the bench affected his performances.

“I don’t think so… do you have any facts on that? He was maybe on (the bench) a minute or two longer (than planned), but he was OK,” the coach said after the 37-point loss, Beveridge said when asked about Bontempelli’s fitness.

‘He tried to lift us up in the last quarter, he scores a goal and almost a second.

‘He tried to lift us up in the last quarter, he shot a goal, he almost shot a second goal (a shot from teammate Aaron Naughton just off the goal line).

Bontempelli was quiet in the second and third quarters, spending time on the bench

‘That was the message after three quarters of the game; after all our hard work (during the season) we have to make a fist of this.

‘We started the last quarter as we could, but then we missed a few chances to put pressure on, which maybe would have allowed us to put a bit more pressure.

‘In the end there was a big gap on the scoreboard and they deserved it.’

Bontempelli finished with 18 possessions and one goal in a midfield clearly outclassed by an exuberant Hawthorn team.

The Hawks dominated the game (150-125) and had a big advantage in attacking substitutions (59-39).

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After leading by 12 points in the first quarter, the Bulldogs were outscored 9-2 in the second and third quarters with the game on the line.

“Everything we were reasonably good at – and you look at the KPIs over the year – we were no longer successful at,” Beveridge said.

‘How much of that is us and how much is Hawthorn? Credit to them, they looked slick on the ground and put us under enormous pressure.

‘We didn’t handle it well and they deservedly won the game, in the end in quite a convincing way.

“We are as flat as the proverbial tack, as you can imagine.”

Beveridge, the Bulldogs’ manager in the 2016 Premier League season, urged his players to ‘stick to the process’ and remain united in their pursuit of future success.

“We have a strong environment, we are spiritually and emotionally connected and there is a lot of caring,” Beveridge said.

‘Now is the time to ensure that we overcome the disappointment together and that as we leave, we leave with a determination to look after ourselves and start the next year on the right foot.’