Luke Beveridge reveals biggest regrets about outburst at reporter Tom Morris that shocked the AFL

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has admitted he has deep regrets about his eruption at Tom Morris after last seasons’ opening match against Melbourne – but maintains he’ll never speak to the journalist again so they can clear the air.

The Dogs boss blew his stack at the former Fox Sports staffer after the 26-point loss on March 17, branding him an ’embarrassment’ in a press conference meltdown that shocked the footy world.

Beveridge was livid after Morris reported that he’d controversially chosen not to select premiership-winning midfielder Lachie Hunter for the clash, and tore into him as the cameras rolled.

‘You’ve got the nerve to ask me a question and even be here,’ Beveridge responded to Morris’ question about the pre-game saga around Hunter.

Beveridge’s mental health was called into question after he branded Tom Morris a ‘gutter journalist’ in a heated exchange after the Bulldogs’ first match of the 2022 season

Morris (pictured) was sacked by Fox Sports shortly after the press conference when footage showed him making derogatory remarks about women, Asians and gay people

‘You’ve been preying on us and causing turmoil within our football club by declaring our team well before it needs to be declared.

‘Is that the gutter journalist you want to be?

‘This is why the health and wellbeing in the game is caught up in all this stuff because we’ve got things to concentrate on performance-wise, we’ve got to look after our own and then you cause all this … that happens behind the scenes and names get brought up into it.’

Asked if he had any misgivings about the incident, Beveridge said, ‘I regret the way it was done, where it was done, how it was done, I regret all of that.

‘Absolutely it was the one time in my eight years [as Bulldogs coach] when I felt I let my club down, myself down, because others had to wear some of that criticism, not just me, and that’s what I felt most guilty about,’ he told the Herald Sun.

The premiership-winning coach said the Morris incident was the only time he felt he let the club down in his eight years at the helm

There were calls for Beveridge to be fined as much as $100,000 for his behaviour

The coach also has no plans to speak to Morris, despite feeling badly about the way he handled the episode.

‘I’ve found it hard, when people have gone hard, to forgive and move on unless someone has come to me later on and said let’s work this out. But no, there’s no need for me to be in contact,’ he explained.

Morris was sacked by Fox less than 24 hours after the infamous spray, when footage surfaced showing him making derogatory comments about women, Asians and gay people, and revealing colleague Megan Barnard’s sexuality.

Beveridge told the publication he knew nothing about the incriminating videos until after it was leaked to the public.

The 52-year-old said he had no idea about the incriminating footage of Morris until it became public less than 24 hours after their press conference clash

There were calls for the premiership-winning coach to face a $100,000 fine over the incident and several football identities sharply criticised his behaviour, with St Kilda great turned commentator Nick Riewoldt saying ‘Bevo overstepped the mark’.

Beveridge dismissed speculation he was struggling mentally in the wake of the scandal.

‘I am good, I’m really good. I’m energised. I’ve never felt healthier,’ he said.

‘Couldn’t feel more passionate about what I do and the players and I have got a real strong connection.

‘I’d (also) rather just leave it (Morris situation) where it is based on everything that’s happened to him.

‘Nothing to be gained by pouring any petrol on what’s already happened.’