Western Bulldogs head coach Luke Beveridge has claimed that he has only viewed his side's cataclysmic fade out in the 2021 Grand Final once before turning totally towards the Pup's latest premiership push.
Despite his side leading by 19-points during the third term of the decider in Perth last September, the travel-weary side from Melbourne's West proved impotent for the remainder of the clash, slotting only one further goal to the Demons' avalanche of 16.
Speaking on SEN radio, the now mustachioed steward stated that while the pain of defeat still lingered, his mind had already shifted to the grand final rematch with Melbourne scheduled for next Wednesday night.
“I delved into the reasons why the season ended so dramatically, and probably traumatically, a little bit,” Beveridge said.
“I think you can dream a little bit, and think you’re on the dais when you’re up by 19 points in a grand final, I don’t know whether that happened.
“In triumphs, or in defeat, you need to move on and re-establish yourself all over again."
Despite reviewing the game following his standard procedure, the 2016 premiership coach stressed that for the future appear rosy, the past would need to be left behind.
“We’ve taken a pretty simplistic approach ... there’s lots to be gained on how we got there and how we might be able to build on that, more than why it fell apart late in the game," Beveridge continued.
“If you spend too much time processing what’s happened in the past, you’re only going to do yourself (harm).
“For my health and wellbeing and benefit, all I’ve done is pushed ahead.
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“I reviewed the game, I watched it once, I pulled everything out of it that I usually do and left it there.
“It hasn’t been shown and hasn’t been looked at since.
“I’d rather look at the possibilities are now into the future.”
Having played for both Melbourne and Footscray during his playing days, Beveridge is well versed in how both clubs feel behind closed doors.
And with his contemporary roster having taken a public disliking to the locker room under Simon Goodwin's stewardship, the 51-year-old was willing to stoke the fire further ahead of Round 1.
“If there is a fierce rivalry emerging then I think it is good for the game - healthy for both clubs,” Beveridge deliniated.
“Is there a jealousy for what happened last year? You’d hope so. If that drives our passion and vigour in the Round 1 game then that is important.”
Beveridge and his kennel of Bulldogs will have their first opportunity to write a new chapter into this burgeoning rivalry when the ball is bounced into the MCG turf at 7:10pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 16.
In a positive trend for the Pups, three of the past five grand final rematches have seen the previously vanquished side prove victorious, with Geelong (63-points), GWS (12) and Adelaide (36) claiming the points in 2021, 2020 and 2018 respectively.