Luke Beveridge hits back in icy Marcus Bontempelli defence after fifth elimination finals loss in 10 years
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has denied there was anything physically wrong with skipper Marcus Bontempelli, despite the midfielder being held to just nine touches to three-quarter time.
Bontempelli managed to stand tall in the final term of the Dogs' 37-point loss to Hawthorn during Friday night's elimination final at the MCG, collecting nine touches in that quarter alone.
But it was Beveridge's move to leave Bontempelli off the ball and at centre-half forward in the second and third terms, that left some people scratching their heads.
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One reporter questioned why Bontempelli spent extended time on the bench during the second and third terms, concerned that his impact was wasted in the most crucial parts of the match.
However, Beveridge hit back, defending his moves in the coaching box.
Disappointed Bulldogs players walk from the ground. via Getty Images
"I don't think he did ... did you feel like he did (spend extra time on the bench)?," Beveridge said post match.
"Do you have facts on that?
"To my mind, he might have been stuck on there (the bench) for a minute or two longer.
"He was OK. He tried to lift us in the last quarter, he kicks a goal, almost kicks a second."
Luke Beveridge, post elimination final loss. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Dogs suffered their fifth elimination final loss in the last 10 years.
"It's difficult to process a finals loss," he said.
"Now is the time to make sure we get through the disappointment together."
The Dogs performance was seen by a record elimination final crowd of 97,828.
"It was a significant destruction of a very good opposition," Collingwood great Nathan Buckley said on Fox post match.
