Source : ABC NEWS
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has played down a heated exchange with TV commentator Kane Cornes, which occurred before Thursday night’s AFL match at Kardinia Park.
Cornes’s tense relationship with Beveridge reached a flashpoint when the pair shared a brief interaction on the boundary line ahead of the Bulldogs’ clash with Geelong.
Beveridge was walking past Cornes when the dialogue started and he stopped for a moment to share words in the direction of the Seven Network commentator.
He was then ushered away by Bulldogs communications staff.
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Beveridge was tight-lipped when quizzed on the incident at his post-match media conference following the Bulldogs’ 20.7 (127) to 16.17 (113) loss to the Cats.
“Ultimately, we come in here and we talk about the game,” Beveridge said.
“That’s all we’re after, isn’t it?
“If you’re trying to drum up any controversy, I don’t think there was any.
“I’ve really got nothing to say.”
Pressed further by a reporter, Beveridge said: “I know what you’re trying to do. You’re not going to get me to bite.”
The Bulldogs are one of the clubs that have banned Cornes from their change rooms.
Cornes addressed Thursday night’s incident during Seven’s coverage.
“There was a confrontation, there were some words spoken,” Cornes said.
“But he’s [Beveridge] combative, and they [Bulldogs] do like to protect their club and their players. I don’t have an issue with it, it’s a big game of footy.
“Clearly the relationship between myself and the Western Bulldogs isn’t a strong one.”
Cornes claimed Beveridge was staring at him “quite strongly” as the interaction developed.
“I didn’t really know what to say, so I just said, ‘G’day, Bevo’, and it wasn’t received that well as you can see in the vision,” Cornes said.
“I would have liked to go on with the conversation and have it respectfully, but it wasn’t the time or the place.”
AAP
