Western Bulldogs coach apologises for not bringing players

The Courier understands players stayed in Yarraville for Mad Monday celebrations, rather than meeting fans in the club’s partner city, after breaking the club’s 62-year AFL premiership drought.

Beveridge said post-grand final planning was new to the football club and the Bulldogs had over-estimated what they thought they could do – and one was bring the players to Ballarat if they won the AFL grand final.

“But it’s just our naivity and lack of experience really, that we considered that was possible,” Beveridge told hundreds of supporters who gathered in Sturt Street, who patiently waited to see coach and cup despite late notice of no players.

“You can imagine what they’ve got up to after they won the grand final, so we want to apologise for that because the players would love to be here...There’ll be lots of opportunities for the players to rub shoulders with you and spend some time with you over the off-season. We look forward to doing it.”

A City of Ballarat media release and social media open invitation at the weekend promoted players in attendance and news of the premiership party made national news on Monday morning.

The Bulldogs confirmed late Monday morning no player was Ballarat bound. Instead, it was left to Beveridge and club president Peter Gordon to hold the cup aloft at the town hall.

The missing players created a social media furore, particularly among regional fans who had skipped club family day celebrations at Whitten Oval on Sunday or left work early to be at the team reception in Ballarat.

Those who did gather were forgiving. Lifelong fan Margaret Tung was disappointed players had skipped Ballarat but she was thrilled to see Beveridge.

"It was a bit disappointing the players aren't here, but they can be out partying," she said. "They won the premiership, they can do what they want."

Ballarat mayor Des Hudson said most people seemed sympathetic to players’ need to rest after what had been accomplished.

The mayor praised Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and the club for bring the cup to Ballarat 48 hours after the final siren had sounded.

A Carlton fan, the mayor said the Bulldogs’ win was wonderful to watch unfold and looked forward to the club arriving as reigning premier to play at Eureka Stadium next year.

Ballarat fans Ron Eisenhardt and Julie Marrugia arrived with a banner in club colours with the Latin phrase “cede nullis” (yield nothing). 

“I’m a little bit disappointed there’s no players, but it’s about atmosphere, just being here,” Ms Marrugia said.

Eight-year-old twins Blake and Matthew Powell just wanted to see the cup.

“We were standing on ground level (at the MCG) and got to high-five players, like Lachie Hunter, after the siren,” Blake said. “The cup was on the other side of the ground, we couldn’t see it.”

Ballarat’s Bulldog sons Chris Maple (head of development) and former players Chris Grant (football director) and Brett Goodes (Ballarat engagement manager) were each on stage.

Grant, a popular Daylesford son, played in multiple losing preliminary finals for the Bulldogs and said he had always pondered what a premiership might feel like. But never imagined this, including in Ballarat where he received a huge roar when presented to the crowd.

“In my childhood, this had always been a St Kilda recruiting zone but looking back now, there always was a lot of Bulldogs fans here,” Grant told The Courier. “It all about timing...now we’re starting our association in a pretty big public way of AFL in Ballarat with such significant momentum, coming in as reigning premiers.”

Maple and Goodes said bringing the cup to Ballarat was a special moment. Each said post-final celebrations had been logistically tough with players’ exit interviews on Tuesday and final engagements on Wednesday.

Fans can register on the club’s website to have their photo with the cup on an upcoming ‘cup tour’.

The 2017 AFL draw is likely to be released in mid-October.

UPDATE, 5.45PM

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has apologised to fans at the parade in Ballarat.

He said the team was new to winning premierships and they overestimated what they could achieve in the post premiership celebrations. 

He has vowed to make sure there is another chance for players to celebrate with fans in Ballarat. 

WATCH OUR LIVE VIDEO HERE:

UPDATE, 5.35PM 

The Courier is about to go live as Western Bulldogs coach takes the stage with the premiership cup.

UPDATE, 5.30PM

Ballarat Ska Union jazz band entertains the crowd.  

UPDATE, 5.25PM

UPDATE, 5.15PM

More than 1000 people have gathered at the Western Bulldogs parade in Ballarat now.

Crowds are gearing up to see coach Luke Beveridge.

Our reporter Melaine Whelan said the crowd stretches from Doveton Street all the way to Armstrong Street.

Eight-year-old twins Blake and Matthew Powell say they high-fived Lachie Hunter at the MCG on Saturday but haven't seen the premiership cup yet.

Lifelong fan Margaret Tung said she was disappointed the players aren’t in Ballarat but was excited to see Luke Beveridge.  

“It was a bit disappointing the players aren't here but they can be out partying,” she said.

“They won the premiership, they can do what they want.”

UPDATE, 5PM 

Almost time for Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge to take to the stage with the premiership cup.  

Hundreds of people are cheering.

The crowd is a sea of red, blue and white.

Melanie Whelan reports the cup is just fifteen minutes away.

UPDATE, 4.50PM

Fans are relieving the glory of Saturday’s nail-biting game with a projector screen playing highlights of the Bulldog's incredible win at the parade in Sturt Street.

UPDATE, 4.30PM

Gloomy conditions aren’t deterring the hundreds diehard Bulldog fans who are gathering in Sturt Street to catch a glimpse of the AFL premiership cup and coach Luke Beveridge.

Our journalist Melanie Whelan is live at the parade.

She reports the crowd is in high spirits, despite news earlier today players would not be coming to Ballarat. 

Ballarat’s premiership party has been dealt a severe blow, with most Western Bulldogs players seemingly not coming to the city.

It now appears unlikely the heroes will come to Ballarat, despite the City of Ballarat previously promoting a visit.

It was commonly presumed by the people of Ballarat that players would be in attendance today.

Coach Luke Beveridge, club president Peter Gordon, director of football Chris Grant, Ballarat engagement manager Brett Goodes and CEO Gary Kent will instead front the crowd with the premiership cup at 4.30pm.

Club president Peter Gordon last week told The Courier that the Bulldogs were looking to visit the region if they won.

“We certainly have plans, if we are successful, to take our team down there with the silverware to share it with our supporters and our members,” he said.

On a Ballarat City Council media release at the weekend, the players were also promoted as coming.

“Everyone is invited to congratulate Western Bulldogs Coach Luke Beveridge and players, and see the 2016 AFL Premiership Cup,” it read.

The Courier has made multiple attempts to contact the Western Bulldogs.