Western Bulldogs

Western Bulldogs coach reportedly makes decision on future

Whether a new contract will be offered has been speculated for some time.

Published by

Callum Farquhar

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has reportedly been tabled a two-year extension until the end of 2027, with reports suggesting the 2016 premiership coach will put pen to paper as early as next week.

Beveridge has faced questions around his future at the Bulldogs after inconsistent seasons, despite boasting arguably one of the most talented lists in the competition. These inconsistencies on-field were compounded by unusually playing star players out of position or out of the side, leading to the likes of Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith and Caleb Daniel departing in the 2024 off-season.

However, despite another season of off-field turmoil surrounding players such as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, and multiple injuries to star players such as Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman and Sam Darcy, the Bulldogs have put the league on notice with their start to the season.

Although the Bulldogs sit with six wins and five losses, no loss has been by more than 21 points and the Dogs have encountered five of the league's current top eight teams after Round 11.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Luke Beveridge, Senior Coach of the Bulldogs addresses his players during the 2025 AFL Round 09 match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Western Bulldogs at TIO Stadium on May 10, 2025 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hence, Beveridge's credentials have exploded again, with the Bulldogs set to finally pull the trigger on offering the longest-serving Dogs coach a new contract, according to the Herald Sun.

Exact terms are yet to be finalised, but the deal will likely see Beveridge extend for two years until 2027.

The deal reportedly could also include protection similar to Simon Goodwin's deal at Melbourne, where a termination of his contract would see Beveridge paid out his deal in full.

Should Beveridge re-sign, attention will then be firmly placed on securing skipper Marcus Bontempelli for the foreseeable future, with the 29-year-old still without a deal beyond this season.

Bontempelli returned from a calf injury in Round 6 and made an immediate impact, demonstrating why he is still one of the AFL's best.

Re-signing both Beveridge and Bontempelli would remove any clouds of uncertainty for the Dogs' future, allowing for the club to align its focus on a deep September charge in 2025.

Published by

Callum Farquhar

3 weeks ago