Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge expressed surprise and amusement after Collingwood was granted permission to train at Marvel Stadium this week, a facility that has frequently been off-limits for other tenant clubs’ regular training sessions.

Collingwood faced challenges accessing their usual training ground at Olympic Park due to heavy rainfall and had been utilising alternative venues such as university and school facilities. In contrast, the Western Bulldogs and previous tenants at Marvel Stadium have often been denied the opportunity to conduct main training sessions at the venue, sometimes being offered only minimal access such as a brief captain’s run in running shoes.

Beveridge described Collingwood’s successful application to train at Docklands as “hilarious,” noting that the decision was unexpected given the history of restricted access. “If you didn’t laugh, you’d cry,” he said. “I almost fell off my chair when I heard about it. It’s just a crack-up really.” While the Bulldogs did not make a training request for this week, Beveridge acknowledged that a decrease in foot traffic at the stadium toward the end of the season may have made the AFL more amenable to granting the Eagles access. “Obviously now there’s going to be less traffic on it. It’s an easy case to make. We didn’t make it, but the Pies did. They made a good case and got on it,” he said.

The Bulldogs are preparing for a high-stakes wildcard final against Collingwood on Friday night. Key players Aaron Naughton and Tim English are expected to participate despite recent injury setbacks. English has not played since round 22 due to a knee injury, while Naughton has recently recovered from an ankle flare-up. Beveridge indicated that English’s playing time would be managed carefully, aiming for approximately 70 percent game participation. “They trained yesterday and look like they’re going to come up,” Beveridge said. “It’s important because we’re down on the big men... Collingwood aren’t a super tall team, so it’s not a huge issue.”

Looking ahead to next season, Beveridge suggested he is confident English will remain with the Bulldogs and take on an even more forward role. Speculation about English potentially moving interstate has increased following the recent signing of his partner, Rudi Ellis, with the Super Netball team NSW Swifts. However, Beveridge affirmed that internally there has been no indication supporting a departure. “We haven’t seen or heard anything that gives it any credence,” he said.