Rock Island High Class of 2025 will receive scholarships
The Rock Island High School Class of 2025 will receive $180,700 in scholarships from the RockIsland-Milan Education Foundation at the Austin Academic Achievement Awards andScholarships Night, according to a news release.
The annual event will be held on Wednesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the RIHS Auditorium where 68 accomplished RIHS seniors will receive $36,000 in Austin Academic Achievement Award (AAAA) scholarships and $144,700 in RIMEF Named scholarships at the annual ceremony.
AAAA Departmental Award Scholarships are selected by teachers within 10 individual academicareas. First place students in each area will receive $2,000 and second place will receive $1,500. This is the 45th year these scholarships will be awarded and funded by the RIMEF.
RIMEF Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 and are awarded for academics, athletics, community involvement, etc. RIHS students completed just one application for the 52 separatenamed scholarships providing over 80 individual scholarship opportunities. One new award wasestablished this year – Nature's Treatment of Illinois Scholarship – awarded for community service and GPA.
In addition, the RIMEF will recognize the academic accomplishments of the Top Ten from eachclass. These hard-working students will be rewarded with a gift-bundle along with a certificate ofrecognition.
During this special night, 128 Rock Island High School scholars will celebrate with their parents, family, friends, and teachers.
The Austin Academic Achievement Award program and RIMEF Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of individual/family and business contributors/benefactors.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- The Advertiser
Muslim preacher defends 'dehumanising' sermons on Jews
An Islamist preacher's speeches that allegedly painted Jewish people as "vile and treacherous" were not racist but formed part of a robust discussion, his lawyer has argued. Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric Wissam Haddad has been accused of racial discrimination after a series of fiery sermons from November 2023, which have racked up thousands of views online. In one of his speeches, he appears to blame the roots of "the enmity that we see today" on "none other than the Jews ... because their forefathers had shown the same enmity to the Prophet (Mohammed)." Mr Haddad is being sued by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, who are seeking the removal of the allegedly racist speeches. They also want Mr Haddad to be barred from making similar comments again. Mr Wertheim told the Federal Court on Tuesday the speeches used "overtly dehumanising" language. "Making derogatory generalisations, calling Jews a vile and treacherous people, calling them rats and cowards ... are things which I think would be experienced by most Jews as dehumanising," he said. His barrister Peter Braham SC told the court the speeches drew on a large range of offensive tropes and were designed to threaten, humiliate and denigrate all Jewish people. The court was told Mr Haddad, who is also known as Abu Ousayd, addressed a camera and engaged with media coverage of his commentary. But his barrister Andrew Boe argued the preacher's speeches were intended for a private Muslim audience of 40 people and he was not responsible for publishing them online. He said it was unlikely any Jewish people would have come across the speeches if they had not received coverage by media organisations. "It would be analogous to a person of a prudish sensitivity seeking out pornography on the web and then complaining about being offended by it," Mr Boe said. Mr Haddad denies breaching anti-discrimination laws and claims he was delivering historical and religious lectures on historical events from the Koran and the war in Gaza. The speeches occurred in the context of a vigorous political debate characterised by an intensity of feeling on both sides and set against the background of a long religious history, Mr Boe said. He advocated for the preservation of free speech and argued the boundaries of debate couldn't be set so narrow as to exclude views which were not polite, bland or balanced. Mr Wertheim said being exposed to challenging ideas in robust conversations did not insult him "as long as they don't cross the boundary into vilification". His lawyer told the court that the Jewish community lived with "a communal memory of past persecution and which remains conscious of threats to its safety by reason of race". The hearing continues. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 An Islamist preacher's speeches that allegedly painted Jewish people as "vile and treacherous" were not racist but formed part of a robust discussion, his lawyer has argued. Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric Wissam Haddad has been accused of racial discrimination after a series of fiery sermons from November 2023, which have racked up thousands of views online. In one of his speeches, he appears to blame the roots of "the enmity that we see today" on "none other than the Jews ... because their forefathers had shown the same enmity to the Prophet (Mohammed)." Mr Haddad is being sued by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, who are seeking the removal of the allegedly racist speeches. They also want Mr Haddad to be barred from making similar comments again. Mr Wertheim told the Federal Court on Tuesday the speeches used "overtly dehumanising" language. "Making derogatory generalisations, calling Jews a vile and treacherous people, calling them rats and cowards ... are things which I think would be experienced by most Jews as dehumanising," he said. His barrister Peter Braham SC told the court the speeches drew on a large range of offensive tropes and were designed to threaten, humiliate and denigrate all Jewish people. The court was told Mr Haddad, who is also known as Abu Ousayd, addressed a camera and engaged with media coverage of his commentary. But his barrister Andrew Boe argued the preacher's speeches were intended for a private Muslim audience of 40 people and he was not responsible for publishing them online. He said it was unlikely any Jewish people would have come across the speeches if they had not received coverage by media organisations. "It would be analogous to a person of a prudish sensitivity seeking out pornography on the web and then complaining about being offended by it," Mr Boe said. Mr Haddad denies breaching anti-discrimination laws and claims he was delivering historical and religious lectures on historical events from the Koran and the war in Gaza. The speeches occurred in the context of a vigorous political debate characterised by an intensity of feeling on both sides and set against the background of a long religious history, Mr Boe said. He advocated for the preservation of free speech and argued the boundaries of debate couldn't be set so narrow as to exclude views which were not polite, bland or balanced. Mr Wertheim said being exposed to challenging ideas in robust conversations did not insult him "as long as they don't cross the boundary into vilification". His lawyer told the court that the Jewish community lived with "a communal memory of past persecution and which remains conscious of threats to its safety by reason of race". The hearing continues. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 An Islamist preacher's speeches that allegedly painted Jewish people as "vile and treacherous" were not racist but formed part of a robust discussion, his lawyer has argued. Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric Wissam Haddad has been accused of racial discrimination after a series of fiery sermons from November 2023, which have racked up thousands of views online. In one of his speeches, he appears to blame the roots of "the enmity that we see today" on "none other than the Jews ... because their forefathers had shown the same enmity to the Prophet (Mohammed)." Mr Haddad is being sued by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, who are seeking the removal of the allegedly racist speeches. They also want Mr Haddad to be barred from making similar comments again. Mr Wertheim told the Federal Court on Tuesday the speeches used "overtly dehumanising" language. "Making derogatory generalisations, calling Jews a vile and treacherous people, calling them rats and cowards ... are things which I think would be experienced by most Jews as dehumanising," he said. His barrister Peter Braham SC told the court the speeches drew on a large range of offensive tropes and were designed to threaten, humiliate and denigrate all Jewish people. The court was told Mr Haddad, who is also known as Abu Ousayd, addressed a camera and engaged with media coverage of his commentary. But his barrister Andrew Boe argued the preacher's speeches were intended for a private Muslim audience of 40 people and he was not responsible for publishing them online. He said it was unlikely any Jewish people would have come across the speeches if they had not received coverage by media organisations. "It would be analogous to a person of a prudish sensitivity seeking out pornography on the web and then complaining about being offended by it," Mr Boe said. Mr Haddad denies breaching anti-discrimination laws and claims he was delivering historical and religious lectures on historical events from the Koran and the war in Gaza. The speeches occurred in the context of a vigorous political debate characterised by an intensity of feeling on both sides and set against the background of a long religious history, Mr Boe said. He advocated for the preservation of free speech and argued the boundaries of debate couldn't be set so narrow as to exclude views which were not polite, bland or balanced. Mr Wertheim said being exposed to challenging ideas in robust conversations did not insult him "as long as they don't cross the boundary into vilification". His lawyer told the court that the Jewish community lived with "a communal memory of past persecution and which remains conscious of threats to its safety by reason of race". The hearing continues. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 An Islamist preacher's speeches that allegedly painted Jewish people as "vile and treacherous" were not racist but formed part of a robust discussion, his lawyer has argued. Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric Wissam Haddad has been accused of racial discrimination after a series of fiery sermons from November 2023, which have racked up thousands of views online. In one of his speeches, he appears to blame the roots of "the enmity that we see today" on "none other than the Jews ... because their forefathers had shown the same enmity to the Prophet (Mohammed)." Mr Haddad is being sued by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, who are seeking the removal of the allegedly racist speeches. They also want Mr Haddad to be barred from making similar comments again. Mr Wertheim told the Federal Court on Tuesday the speeches used "overtly dehumanising" language. "Making derogatory generalisations, calling Jews a vile and treacherous people, calling them rats and cowards ... are things which I think would be experienced by most Jews as dehumanising," he said. His barrister Peter Braham SC told the court the speeches drew on a large range of offensive tropes and were designed to threaten, humiliate and denigrate all Jewish people. The court was told Mr Haddad, who is also known as Abu Ousayd, addressed a camera and engaged with media coverage of his commentary. But his barrister Andrew Boe argued the preacher's speeches were intended for a private Muslim audience of 40 people and he was not responsible for publishing them online. He said it was unlikely any Jewish people would have come across the speeches if they had not received coverage by media organisations. "It would be analogous to a person of a prudish sensitivity seeking out pornography on the web and then complaining about being offended by it," Mr Boe said. Mr Haddad denies breaching anti-discrimination laws and claims he was delivering historical and religious lectures on historical events from the Koran and the war in Gaza. The speeches occurred in the context of a vigorous political debate characterised by an intensity of feeling on both sides and set against the background of a long religious history, Mr Boe said. He advocated for the preservation of free speech and argued the boundaries of debate couldn't be set so narrow as to exclude views which were not polite, bland or balanced. Mr Wertheim said being exposed to challenging ideas in robust conversations did not insult him "as long as they don't cross the boundary into vilification". His lawyer told the court that the Jewish community lived with "a communal memory of past persecution and which remains conscious of threats to its safety by reason of race". The hearing continues. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
The Advertiser
3 minutes ago
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Microscope on IVF giant over 'inexcusable' embryo error
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Known errors disclosed by Monash IVF raise questions about potential issues at other clinics that do not have the same reporting obligations, the medical negligence expert argued. He said Monash IVF could be exposed to lawsuits for failing in its duty of care to the patient, on top of breach of contract if the couple signed an agreement setting out which embryo was due to be transferred. The two separate errors disclosed by Monash IVF were "up there in terms of severity" compared to other previously known industry errors, he said, including embryos being damaged after trays were dropped in laboratories. "It's inexcusable," Mr Opare told AAP. Pink Elephants support group founder Samantha Payne was concerned about the impact on other couples undergoing IVF and called for a wider discussion about how clinics are run. "You'd be terrified if you were going through a round of IVF now," she said. A second embryo blunder from a major private fertility clinic has raised fresh fears about system flaws. Staff at a Monash IVF laboratory in Melbourne on Thursday transferred the wrong embryo to a woman, giving her one of her own rather than one from her partner, as they had requested. The pair is believed to be in a same-sex relationship. The company, which is based in Melbourne but has clinics around Australia, apologised to the couple and launched an internal investigation. But the Victorian Health Regulator has swooped in with its own probe of Monash IVF and how the error occurred at its Clayton site. State Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the mistake was "completely unacceptable" and the company must provide answers. "This will be quite devastating for the couple at the heart of this," she told reporters on Tuesday. "We all know that the IVF journey can be a very long, torturous one. It can be very expensive as well." In a notice to the stock market, Monash IVF said it would set up additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards. It has informed the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee certifying body and insurers, declaring it expects the mix-up to fall within its insurance coverage. The company's profit guidance remains unchanged but the news sent its share price tumbling by more than 26 per cent to below 55 cents as of 3pm AEST. Monash IVF revealed in April a woman at a Brisbane facility had another patient's embryo incorrectly transferred to her because of "human error". The mistake was picked up in February after the birth parents asked for their remaining embryos to be transferred elsewhere and an extra embryo was found in storage. Monash IVF apologised, expressed confidence it was an isolated incident and hired leading barrister Fiona McLeod to lead an independent review, which has now been expanded. Alex Polyakov, a fertility specialist at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital, said the latest stuff-up was also likely because of human error. He said the mistake in Melbourne was easier to make than the one in Brisbane but equally serious. "You have the couple's names on every embryo," the Genea Fertility Melbourne medical director told AAP. "It's not just the patient or the egg provider, it's also their partner. "I could see how this would happen." About one in 18 babies is born via IVF in Australia. Associate Professor Polyakov said the two transfer errors were the first he was aware of in Australia since the IVF industry began operating 40 years ago, although there have been high-profile cases in the US and Israel. He called for more vigilance and extra layers of protection but conceded no system could be made foolproof from a "black swan event". Shine Lawyers medical law Victorian practice lead Daniel Opare said alarm bells should be ringing across the industry. Known errors disclosed by Monash IVF raise questions about potential issues at other clinics that do not have the same reporting obligations, the medical negligence expert argued. He said Monash IVF could be exposed to lawsuits for failing in its duty of care to the patient, on top of breach of contract if the couple signed an agreement setting out which embryo was due to be transferred. The two separate errors disclosed by Monash IVF were "up there in terms of severity" compared to other previously known industry errors, he said, including embryos being damaged after trays were dropped in laboratories. "It's inexcusable," Mr Opare told AAP. Pink Elephants support group founder Samantha Payne was concerned about the impact on other couples undergoing IVF and called for a wider discussion about how clinics are run. "You'd be terrified if you were going through a round of IVF now," she said. A second embryo blunder from a major private fertility clinic has raised fresh fears about system flaws. Staff at a Monash IVF laboratory in Melbourne on Thursday transferred the wrong embryo to a woman, giving her one of her own rather than one from her partner, as they had requested. The pair is believed to be in a same-sex relationship. The company, which is based in Melbourne but has clinics around Australia, apologised to the couple and launched an internal investigation. But the Victorian Health Regulator has swooped in with its own probe of Monash IVF and how the error occurred at its Clayton site. State Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the mistake was "completely unacceptable" and the company must provide answers. "This will be quite devastating for the couple at the heart of this," she told reporters on Tuesday. "We all know that the IVF journey can be a very long, torturous one. It can be very expensive as well." In a notice to the stock market, Monash IVF said it would set up additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards. It has informed the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee certifying body and insurers, declaring it expects the mix-up to fall within its insurance coverage. The company's profit guidance remains unchanged but the news sent its share price tumbling by more than 26 per cent to below 55 cents as of 3pm AEST. Monash IVF revealed in April a woman at a Brisbane facility had another patient's embryo incorrectly transferred to her because of "human error". The mistake was picked up in February after the birth parents asked for their remaining embryos to be transferred elsewhere and an extra embryo was found in storage. Monash IVF apologised, expressed confidence it was an isolated incident and hired leading barrister Fiona McLeod to lead an independent review, which has now been expanded. Alex Polyakov, a fertility specialist at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital, said the latest stuff-up was also likely because of human error. He said the mistake in Melbourne was easier to make than the one in Brisbane but equally serious. "You have the couple's names on every embryo," the Genea Fertility Melbourne medical director told AAP. "It's not just the patient or the egg provider, it's also their partner. "I could see how this would happen." About one in 18 babies is born via IVF in Australia. Associate Professor Polyakov said the two transfer errors were the first he was aware of in Australia since the IVF industry began operating 40 years ago, although there have been high-profile cases in the US and Israel. He called for more vigilance and extra layers of protection but conceded no system could be made foolproof from a "black swan event". Shine Lawyers medical law Victorian practice lead Daniel Opare said alarm bells should be ringing across the industry. Known errors disclosed by Monash IVF raise questions about potential issues at other clinics that do not have the same reporting obligations, the medical negligence expert argued. He said Monash IVF could be exposed to lawsuits for failing in its duty of care to the patient, on top of breach of contract if the couple signed an agreement setting out which embryo was due to be transferred. The two separate errors disclosed by Monash IVF were "up there in terms of severity" compared to other previously known industry errors, he said, including embryos being damaged after trays were dropped in laboratories. "It's inexcusable," Mr Opare told AAP. Pink Elephants support group founder Samantha Payne was concerned about the impact on other couples undergoing IVF and called for a wider discussion about how clinics are run. "You'd be terrified if you were going through a round of IVF now," she said. A second embryo blunder from a major private fertility clinic has raised fresh fears about system flaws. Staff at a Monash IVF laboratory in Melbourne on Thursday transferred the wrong embryo to a woman, giving her one of her own rather than one from her partner, as they had requested. The pair is believed to be in a same-sex relationship. The company, which is based in Melbourne but has clinics around Australia, apologised to the couple and launched an internal investigation. But the Victorian Health Regulator has swooped in with its own probe of Monash IVF and how the error occurred at its Clayton site. State Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the mistake was "completely unacceptable" and the company must provide answers. "This will be quite devastating for the couple at the heart of this," she told reporters on Tuesday. "We all know that the IVF journey can be a very long, torturous one. It can be very expensive as well." In a notice to the stock market, Monash IVF said it would set up additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards. It has informed the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee certifying body and insurers, declaring it expects the mix-up to fall within its insurance coverage. The company's profit guidance remains unchanged but the news sent its share price tumbling by more than 26 per cent to below 55 cents as of 3pm AEST. Monash IVF revealed in April a woman at a Brisbane facility had another patient's embryo incorrectly transferred to her because of "human error". The mistake was picked up in February after the birth parents asked for their remaining embryos to be transferred elsewhere and an extra embryo was found in storage. Monash IVF apologised, expressed confidence it was an isolated incident and hired leading barrister Fiona McLeod to lead an independent review, which has now been expanded. Alex Polyakov, a fertility specialist at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital, said the latest stuff-up was also likely because of human error. He said the mistake in Melbourne was easier to make than the one in Brisbane but equally serious. "You have the couple's names on every embryo," the Genea Fertility Melbourne medical director told AAP. "It's not just the patient or the egg provider, it's also their partner. "I could see how this would happen." About one in 18 babies is born via IVF in Australia. Associate Professor Polyakov said the two transfer errors were the first he was aware of in Australia since the IVF industry began operating 40 years ago, although there have been high-profile cases in the US and Israel. He called for more vigilance and extra layers of protection but conceded no system could be made foolproof from a "black swan event". Shine Lawyers medical law Victorian practice lead Daniel Opare said alarm bells should be ringing across the industry. Known errors disclosed by Monash IVF raise questions about potential issues at other clinics that do not have the same reporting obligations, the medical negligence expert argued. He said Monash IVF could be exposed to lawsuits for failing in its duty of care to the patient, on top of breach of contract if the couple signed an agreement setting out which embryo was due to be transferred. The two separate errors disclosed by Monash IVF were "up there in terms of severity" compared to other previously known industry errors, he said, including embryos being damaged after trays were dropped in laboratories. "It's inexcusable," Mr Opare told AAP. Pink Elephants support group founder Samantha Payne was concerned about the impact on other couples undergoing IVF and called for a wider discussion about how clinics are run. "You'd be terrified if you were going through a round of IVF now," she said.
The Advertiser
3 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Bulldogs seek stability with call on Beveridge's future
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Mere months ago, Beveridge, 54, and the Bulldogs were unsure if they were going to remain in partnership beyond this season, after a roller coaster past few years. But amid an impressive start to 2025, Beveridge ruled out coaching any other club in April. Beveridge, who does not have a manager, had regularly met with the Bulldogs' hierarchy, before sealing his new deal midway through the season. "I am honoured to renew my commitment to our great club beyond this year as I endeavour to be the best leader, ambassador and coach that I can be for our people, our members and those who support us," Beveridge said. Beveridge joined the Bulldogs at the end of 2014, made finals in his first season then won the club's first premiership since 1954 with the drought-breaking triumph in 2016. His first 10 seasons delivered seven finals campaigns. The Bulldogs made the 2021 grand final but finished eighth a year later then missed the finals altogether in 2023, prompting an extensive review of its football department at the end of that season. Last year, the Bulldogs suffered an elimination-final exit to Hawthorn, while midfielder Bailey Smith departed for Geelong, piling further pressure on Beveridge heading into his contract year. But Beveridge has the Bulldogs at 6-6 and showing form that can match it with the AFL's best, despite being without Bontempelli, Sam Darcy, Cody Weightman and Adam Treloar for various stints through injuries. He has also had to manage the absence of former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan for the entire season to date due to personal issues. Bulldogs president Kyle Watson-Wheeler hailed Beveridge as a "once-in-a-generation" coach. "The considered process we have undertaken has resulted in the unanimous endorsement of the board and the unified belief that he is the best person to drive sustained success at the Bulldogs," Watson-Wheeler said. "As the game evolves, Luke continues to deliver a cutting-edge brand of footy and finds new ways to challenge and motivate our exciting playing group." The Bulldogs are expected to regain Darcy from a knee injury against St Kilda this Thursday. Luke Beveridge remains the man for the Western Bulldogs after signing a two-year deal to stay on as coach, in a move the finals-chasing AFL club hopes can bring stability. The Bulldogs have extended 2016 premiership mentor Beveridge's tenure, already the club's longest at 229 games, until the end of 2027, which would mark 13 seasons at Whitten Oval. It means the club, currently sitting ninth at 6-6, can turn their focus to locking in out-of-contract captain Marcus Bontempelli while attempting to seal a finals berth and top-four spot. "This extension - the result of a considered and communicative process - means our men's footy program can progress with confidence and stability as we look forward to the second half of this season and beyond," Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said. Beveridge, in his 11th year, was coming off contract at season's end and both parties were comfortable with starting 2025 without a deal for next year. Mere months ago, Beveridge, 54, and the Bulldogs were unsure if they were going to remain in partnership beyond this season, after a roller coaster past few years. But amid an impressive start to 2025, Beveridge ruled out coaching any other club in April. Beveridge, who does not have a manager, had regularly met with the Bulldogs' hierarchy, before sealing his new deal midway through the season. "I am honoured to renew my commitment to our great club beyond this year as I endeavour to be the best leader, ambassador and coach that I can be for our people, our members and those who support us," Beveridge said. Beveridge joined the Bulldogs at the end of 2014, made finals in his first season then won the club's first premiership since 1954 with the drought-breaking triumph in 2016. His first 10 seasons delivered seven finals campaigns. The Bulldogs made the 2021 grand final but finished eighth a year later then missed the finals altogether in 2023, prompting an extensive review of its football department at the end of that season. Last year, the Bulldogs suffered an elimination-final exit to Hawthorn, while midfielder Bailey Smith departed for Geelong, piling further pressure on Beveridge heading into his contract year. But Beveridge has the Bulldogs at 6-6 and showing form that can match it with the AFL's best, despite being without Bontempelli, Sam Darcy, Cody Weightman and Adam Treloar for various stints through injuries. He has also had to manage the absence of former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan for the entire season to date due to personal issues. Bulldogs president Kyle Watson-Wheeler hailed Beveridge as a "once-in-a-generation" coach. "The considered process we have undertaken has resulted in the unanimous endorsement of the board and the unified belief that he is the best person to drive sustained success at the Bulldogs," Watson-Wheeler said. "As the game evolves, Luke continues to deliver a cutting-edge brand of footy and finds new ways to challenge and motivate our exciting playing group." The Bulldogs are expected to regain Darcy from a knee injury against St Kilda this Thursday. Luke Beveridge remains the man for the Western Bulldogs after signing a two-year deal to stay on as coach, in a move the finals-chasing AFL club hopes can bring stability. The Bulldogs have extended 2016 premiership mentor Beveridge's tenure, already the club's longest at 229 games, until the end of 2027, which would mark 13 seasons at Whitten Oval. It means the club, currently sitting ninth at 6-6, can turn their focus to locking in out-of-contract captain Marcus Bontempelli while attempting to seal a finals berth and top-four spot. "This extension - the result of a considered and communicative process - means our men's footy program can progress with confidence and stability as we look forward to the second half of this season and beyond," Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said. Beveridge, in his 11th year, was coming off contract at season's end and both parties were comfortable with starting 2025 without a deal for next year. Mere months ago, Beveridge, 54, and the Bulldogs were unsure if they were going to remain in partnership beyond this season, after a roller coaster past few years. But amid an impressive start to 2025, Beveridge ruled out coaching any other club in April. Beveridge, who does not have a manager, had regularly met with the Bulldogs' hierarchy, before sealing his new deal midway through the season. "I am honoured to renew my commitment to our great club beyond this year as I endeavour to be the best leader, ambassador and coach that I can be for our people, our members and those who support us," Beveridge said. Beveridge joined the Bulldogs at the end of 2014, made finals in his first season then won the club's first premiership since 1954 with the drought-breaking triumph in 2016. His first 10 seasons delivered seven finals campaigns. The Bulldogs made the 2021 grand final but finished eighth a year later then missed the finals altogether in 2023, prompting an extensive review of its football department at the end of that season. Last year, the Bulldogs suffered an elimination-final exit to Hawthorn, while midfielder Bailey Smith departed for Geelong, piling further pressure on Beveridge heading into his contract year. But Beveridge has the Bulldogs at 6-6 and showing form that can match it with the AFL's best, despite being without Bontempelli, Sam Darcy, Cody Weightman and Adam Treloar for various stints through injuries. He has also had to manage the absence of former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan for the entire season to date due to personal issues. Bulldogs president Kyle Watson-Wheeler hailed Beveridge as a "once-in-a-generation" coach. "The considered process we have undertaken has resulted in the unanimous endorsement of the board and the unified belief that he is the best person to drive sustained success at the Bulldogs," Watson-Wheeler said. "As the game evolves, Luke continues to deliver a cutting-edge brand of footy and finds new ways to challenge and motivate our exciting playing group." The Bulldogs are expected to regain Darcy from a knee injury against St Kilda this Thursday.
