Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge “hated” leaving substitute Toby McLean on the bench all through the win over Hawthorn however did not wish to upset the stability of a carefully poised match.
Beveridge raised eyebrows when he sat McLean on the pine for everything of Saturday night time’s dour 29-point victory at Marvel Stadium.
It made the 2016 premiership participant the primary unused substitute within the competitors this season.
“I just felt the game was in the balance for a long period of time but it was stable,” Beveridge defined post-match.
“As much as you might try and identify with an individual or two who probably weren’t having their best days, they were still playing important roles in the scheme of things and helping others play better.
“We and I simply weren’t ready to tug that lever after which it received late and, actually, I did not wish to try this to Toby actually late within the recreation.
“I’d rather him go and have a workout (post-match) than come on for a couple of minutes.”
McLean’s full recreation on the bench got here on the identical night time the 27-year-old’s household had been available to rejoice final week’s 100-game milestone.
He reached that tally in an interstate match, with the membership preferring to avoid wasting the household commemorations for a house fixture.
“It’s been a difficult day for Tobes,” Beveridge mentioned.
“I hate it. I hate putting the player through it, but it is what it is.
“It’s a troublesome one for Tobes however he is received loads of character and he’ll be OK.”
McLean will still be credited for a game played against Hawthorn under AFL rules.
The uncommon scenario reprised reminiscences of Melbourne leaving James Jordon as an unused substitute all through the 2021 grand remaining.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
