Western Bulldogs

Western Bulldogs coach’s solution to “confusing” rule

“I don’t want to be too controversial today.”

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said, "there's too much uncertainty" surrounding the contention holding-the-ball free-kick, declaring there needs to be an overhaul from 'City Hall (the AFL)'.

Beveridge believes that both players and umpires are left "helpless" on how to conduct themselves on the field, while the "total confusion" has left coaches lost on how to guide and instruct their stars.

The AFL made the mid-season call in 2024 to update the interpretation of the rule that was supposed to reward the tackler after a chorus of coaches forced the issue.

But now the 2016 premiership coach says it's reverted back to anarchy.

2025-04-06T07:10:00Z
Fremantle WON BY 16 POINTS
Optus Stadium
FRE
97
FT
81
WB

"I don't want to be too controversial today," Beveridge said on Thursday.

"The main one that we're all focusing on, moving away from that (Mansell incident), is there's just too much uncertainty across the league in regards to source pressure situations with tackling and being tackled.

"No one understands the rule anymore, and it's very difficult to coach it.

"How long can you hang on to the ball? Can you attempt to dispose of it? Throw it out, miss it completely, is it play on? No one understands it.

"So the suggestion for me was to make sure we bring back prior opportunity and validate incorrect disposal.

"I don't think we as coaches have ever felt as helpless around that and coaching it as we do now.

"I think the whole competition is confused."

Troubled star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been "chipping away" at his progress in returning from the time he spent away from the club.

Onlookers saw Ugle-Hagan with the senior group on Thursday at Whitten Oval in a positive development.

"Yeah, he's chipping away, ‘Marra, ' so that's encouraging. The more he can be involved in these main sessions … he looked really good the other day, the closer he gets to playing,” Beveridge said.

"He's stringing … his program specifics here, together, and that's really important for him, and for us."

Captain Marcus Bontempelli also joined in full training, but largely spent time with the rehab group, which included Adam Treloar.

Fellow forward Cody Weightman suffered a minor setback with "swelling" around the knee but remains on track for a late-season return.

The Bulldogs will head west to take on Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Published by
Aidan Cellini