Fremantle Dockers fans endorse Luke Beveridge ploy if Justin Longmuir can’t lift his side

Diehard Fremantle supporters have backed poaching premiership coach Luke Beveridge if Justin Longmuir cannot get his side back in finals contention this season. The West Australian exclusively revealed on Saturday there was a push from within the Dockers to go after the Bulldogs coach if they did not improve this year on the back of their dismal 2023. A number of sources told The West the club would not extend the out-of-contract Longmuir’s tenure if his side did not appear a genuine finals chance early in the season, with Beveridge on their radar to replace him. Under the coach, Fremantle have made finals just once in four seasons, with his worst result being last year’s plummet to 14th on the ladder. Beveridge — who has also faced criticism over east for not making finals last year despite having one of the best lists in the entire league — is contracted until the end of 2025, but a clause in his contract states he would only have to be paid out for six months if he was axed. Dockers fans welcomed the news, with a number stating online the premiership coach would get the best out of the club’s solid senior group. “As a long suffering Docker supporter, I’d be OK with Beveridge,” The West subscriber Peter D wrote. “Someone with a bit of passion please. And he is a premiership coach. I reckon he knows how to win a first quarter.” Facebook user Declan Page wrote: “I don’t hate this. Bring a bit of fight back into the boys.” “It’s current coach is clearly struggling in connecting with the player group,” Facebook user Brian Raven wrote. “The club looks disjointed and there’s an absence of excitement and buzz. The club is no closer to winning it’s first flag.” “Why not?? JLo (Longmuir) not improving, hasn’t really done much in the past two to three years,” Jeff Morris wrote. “May as well just get him now,” Michael Buszan said. Joseph Moore wrote: “As a Dockers fan I would be okay with this. Sure Bev isn’t the greatest but has the experience. “At least he’d be an actual coach and not everyone’s buddy.” “Well we may finally get a coach ... that can say it how it is, JL is too soft and laid back,” wrote Roy Woolley. “Best news ever. Quick go for it,” another user wrote. “Yes please!” said another. “It will be the first time Fremantle bring in an actual premiership coach. Maybe that will do the trick,” wrote Indie Singh. The West subscriber Derek W, said Beveridge would get better use out of star veteran Nat Fyfe, who Longmuir played in the forward line early last season in a criticised shift. “I welcome the move. I think Bevo would be great,” The West subscriber Derek W wrote. “Bring the Bont (midfielder Marcus Bontempelli) with him? Imagine the Bont and Fyfe in the same team. Fyfe has been totally mismanaged by Longmuir, took the best midfielder out of the middle from the get go. He’s at his best at the stoppages.” “I think he’s a terrific coach,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote. “Same here,” another user agreed. “Very much misunderstood (by) a lot of footy fans.” Longmuir weighed into his contract talks earlier this month, saying it would not dictate the way he approached the season. Players have also said on the record they are not feeling any extra pressure to perform for their coach. Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick — who has long held a connection to the Bulldogs and Beveridge — said last year the club would address Longmuir’s contract when the time was right. Garlick was Western Bulldogs boss for four years from 2010 and also played 137 games for the club. He was instrumental in Beveridge’s appointment at the end of his tenure. The Fremantle CEO also hired Bulldogs legend Bob Murphy at Fremantle, while premiership star Matthew Boyd is also an assistant coach at the club, with Longmuir given credit for the latter. Beveridge led the Bulldogs to their 2016 flag in just his second year at the club, as well as the 2021 grand final.