Luke Beveridge press conference video on Tim English trade rumour, Bobby Hill latest, Jy Simpkin warned by AFL after Instagram post

Luke Beveridge has laughed off Tim English trade speculation, while the AFL has issued a warning to a North Melbourne player after his social media comments.

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‘VANILLA’: BEVERIDGE LAUGHS OFF SPECULATION

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has laughed off speculation about Tim English’s future, labelling reports of his unrest “half a scoop of vanilla”.

English is contracted to the Bulldogs until 2029, but Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis suggested on Fox Footy’s On The Couch the All-Australian ruckman open to the trade market.

The Bulldogs have proven a stronger side with English, winning seven of their nine games around his concussion this season.

Beveridge says the comment was from “left field” to everyone at the club.

“Old scoop Lewis! So ‘Lewy’, it’s like he’s gone up and given us half a scoop of vanilla,” Beveridge said with a smile. “If he’s going to speculate and make statements, he’s got to give you the full scoop.

“Tim is contracted until the end of 2029, so a player of his ability and impact, he’s secure here.

“It came out of left field for us, didn’t know where it came from other than Lewy.

“I don’t know who he’s been talking to, but we’re not sure if there’s any accuracy in any of that.”

Beveridge also denies any friction between he and English, who was used out of position in the third quarter against Adelaide last week.

“Again, big surprise,” he said.

“Some of the things we were talking about this morning – where we need to improve – I’m having those conversations with all our players.

“They seem to be processing it pretty well, they’re determined to improve and Tim is no different.”

PIES COACH SAYS ‘BATTLING’ HILL A LONG WAY OFF

Collingwood coach Craig McRae says a “battling” Bobby Hill remains a long way from playing despite taking part in training on Thursday.

Hill has been in and out of the Magpies’ program for nearly a year, playing only a handful of VFL games since Round 21 last season.

The Norm Smith Medallist most recently took another portion of leave to be alongside his partner during her childbirth.

Hill made yet another return to training ahead of Collingwood’s clash with Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

But McRae says Hill, who is “battling, truthfully battling”, will not play any form of footy this weekend.

“I had a really good chat to Bobby this morning and over the last period,” he said.

“He’s got a bit going on, Bobby, let’s be really clear, he’s got a lot going on and he’s a work in progress.

“But it’s nice to have him here… I think he’s a long way away from playing footy at the moment, we’re conscious of that.

“Again, when he’s in our building at least we get some opportunities to make him feel loved and appreciated.”

The Magpies have been stoic in their support for Hill, even when his recall was the topic of preliminary final week last season.

McRae says the love for Hill will “never waver” and wants to be a safe space for all of his players.

“I’m chatting to him yesterday, we have really deep conversations about this stuff,” he said.

“Regardless of whatever happens in life, there’s a level of love and care. These young men, in my eyes, are my sons and I want them to feel like that.

“I want to be a father figure for him, to some degree, and set him up to be a good husband, dad and other parts.

“There’s a lot of work being done behind the scenes

ROOS STAR WARNED BY AFL AFTER ‘LAUGHABLE’ INSTA POST

North Melbourne midfielder Jy Simpkin has reportedly received a warning from the AFL after labelling the league and Match Review Officer “laughable” following teammate Paul Curtis’ suspension.

The Kangaroos’ bid to overturn Curtis’ three-game tackle ban at the tribunal failed on Tuesday night, with the goalkicker to miss matches against Richmond, Essendon and Port Adelaide.

In the wake of Curtis’ suspension being upheld, Simpkin used his Instagram platform to voice his frustration.

“The AFL needs to get it together, the constant rule changes and the MRO is laughable,” Simpkin wrote in a story caption posted to his Instagram account.

“Players don’t know what they can and can’t do anymore. Just hope for the best each week.”

Simpkin also compared Curtis’ tackle – which left Eagle Hamish Davis concussed – to one laid by Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol, who wasn’t suspended despite Cats star Tom Stewart being concussed as a result of the tackle.

AFL Media on Wednesday reported the league had spoken with the Kangaroos to address the comments from Simpkin, who was also given him a warning.

It comes after AFL football operations boss Greg Swann spoke to Damien Hardwick earlier this week about the Gold Coast coach’s umpire comments following his side’s loss to Geelong.

‘REALLY ONLY A THIRD-YEAR PLAYER’: SAINTS BACK PHILLIPOU

St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes has defended Mattaes Phillipou’s fluctuating form, saying the highly-touted midfielder was essentially a “third-year player who is still developing his craft”.

Phillipou was dropped last week after accumulating four disposals in almost 80 per cent game time in St Kilda’s Round 13 loss to Sydney. He responded with 28 disposals and nine clearances in the VFL Saints’ draw on Sunday.

SEN’s Tom Morris reported in March the Saints had re-signed Phillipou halfway through last season, with the top-10 pick to be paid around $1 million per year in 2027 and 2028.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning, Hayes said he had “no doubt” Phillipou would not only play an important role in the back-end of the season, but also in the future for the Saints.

“Mattaes is like any young player that’s going to go through fluctuations with their game when they’re young,” Hayes told SEN.

“I think back to when I first came through I probably didn’t feel comfortable at the level as a midfielder until my fourth year. I was playing a bit of half-forward, playing a bit of mid and it just took me a while to build that confidence.

“I think we sometimes forget that Mattaes was the youngest player taken in his draft. He played every game in his first year, and in his second year he had a little stint back at the VFL and built out his craft as a midfielder. He came back in and played some really good games.

“Last year his season was pretty much ruined through injury so he’s really only a third-year player who is still developing his craft.

“He’s going to be a really good player, there’s no doubt about that.”