Luke Beveridge, who was chosen to play on the AFL Greek Team of the Century, has been appointed as the Western Bulldog’s coach.
With a grandfather heralding from Samos, Beveridge is one of the first coaches with Greek ancestry to be appointed to an AFL club as head coach.
He is replacing Brendan McCartney, who was contracted until the end of the 2016 season, but was sacked last month following captain Ryan Griffen’s decision to walk out on the club.
Earlier this year, Beveridge was appointed St Kilda’s director of coaching, after having previously served as an assistant at Hawthorn.
“There’s a sense of nostalgia,” Beveridge said on his return to Footscray, where he played 31 games between 1993 and 1995.
“The group is a good blend of youth and experience. The club’s always had a real homey feel to it and I’ve been reassured that still exists.”
