Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon’s response to Ed Richards was “petty”.
The Bulldogs will play in the AFL’s first ever wildcard final when they take on Collingwood at the MCG this Friday night.
The wildcard finalists include the teams who finished between seventh and 10th, with the two winners earning the right to play in an elimination final the following week.
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It means to win the premiership, teams playing in the wildcard weekend will have to win five games in a row to be premiers.
That’s why Richards says he’s treating it as just another round in the home and away season.
The 27-year-old conceded it felt like the Bulldogs hadn’t really made the finals yet.
“I personally think that we haven’t,” Richards said on Monday.
“I would like to win this one and then really have that cemented final spot in an elimination (final).
“So just treating this one as I guess another week — Round 25, if you would.”
Those comments raised the eyebrows of Dillon when they were brought up at his press conference a couple of hours later.
“I haven’t heard those comments but I’m not sure the Bulldogs have played many home-and-away games in front of 90,000-plus (fans),” Dillon said.
“So he might have a different feeling after the game.”
On Monday night, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge returned fire at the AFL boss.
“It’s a bit petty by the CEO, isn’t it, to think a rebuttal is required,” Beveridge told Fox Sports.
“I don’t think he’s having a go with the wildcard initiative, it’s just his own way of looking at it.
“And obviously there are some sensitivities attached to it for the CEO to react like that.”
The eighth-placed Bulldogs’ usual home ground is Marvel Stadium, but Beveridge’s charges are required to play at the larger MCG — home ground of ninth-placed Collingwood — for the new-look final.
“There’s been a bit of chat about that,” Richards said.
“I love playing at the ‘G, so I’m not too fussed.
“You’ve got to win finals at the ‘G, so you’ve got to be able to play finals at the MCG and play well.
“We’ve been pretty good there this year, so hopefully we can continue some good form, play some good footy there on Friday.”
When asked if playing at Marvel was ever a consideration, Dillon said “No”, noting all finals in Melbourne were played at the MCG.
Collingwood also gain an extra day’s rest, having lost to Brisbane on Friday night before the Bulldogs beat Melbourne on Saturday.
“It’s not a really crazy difference, so we’re not going to be thinking about it too much,” Richards said.
Aaron Naughton, who rolled his ankle late against Melbourne, wasn’t involved in Monday’s light session but Richards expected him to play.
Asked if an extra day would have helped, Richards said: “Yes. It would.
“There’s not really much we can do about it, so I guess he’s just going to have to deal with it.
“He’s the ultimate professional, so he’ll get himself up.
“Whether or not it’s going to play a factor, I don’t know, but hopefully it doesn’t. Hopefully he’s right and he kicks six.”
Ruckman Tim English (knee) appears less likely but will push to play.
Richards said he and Marcus Bontempelli were ready for a “good battle” in midfield with Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey.
With AAP
