Luke Beveridge was the target of an alleged $100,000 extortion threat, according to reports.
The Age has obtained court documents that state the Western Bulldogs coach was allegedly sent a letter in June of this year by Mr Brendon Berry, who demanded the footy coach pay him the huge sum of money.
The documents claim that the alleged letter was written ‘in a manner which a reasonable person would regard as menacing.’
While the contents of the letter have not been made public in court, the message was allegedly sent to the coach between June 27 and 28.
Berry, 53, is also the son of Richmond boxing trainer Leo Berry, who passed away in 2015. Mr Berry had failed to appear at two previous hearings on October 3 and 14.
He was also absent from Tuesday’s court hearing, with Magistrate Donna Bakos subsequently issuing a warrant for his arrest.
Luke Beveridge was the target of an alleged $100,000 extortion threat, according to reports
Ex-Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has also been targeted by threats during the 2025 season
Mr Berry has been charged with making an unwarranted demand for money with menace and using a postal service in a manner that could be regarded as menacing.
‘I don’t issue warrants ever lightly. We explore all possibilities as we should. I think I have exhausted all of those possibilities,’ Magistrate Bakos said.
It comes after the Bulldogs have upped security around their senior coach earlier this year following the alleged threats.
Members of security were seen keeping a close eye on the coach as he stepped onto the pitch at the Marvel Stadium to address his players during his side’s 134-85 victory against North Melbourne back in July.
In August, it was reported that the AFL Integrity Unit had stepped up security measures to protect a number of coaches.
It came after coaches Michael Voss and Simon Goodwin both received shocking threats.
A Collingwood member sent a death threat to Voss during the Magpies’ victory against the Blues on July 4.
‘I’d like to report 23 missing persons and pre-emptively report the murder of Michael Voss,’ the message read.
The Western Bulldogs coach (pictured) was allegedly sent a letter in June of this year by Mr Brendon Berry, who demanded the footy coach pay him the huge sum of money
The AFL has confirmed the league has employed a security guard (pictured, front) – whose identity remains a closely guarded secret – to protect multiple coaches
The man has been spotted in club attire (pictured) from multiple clubs dating back to July 3
Melbourne, meanwhile, had also reported a threat made to former Demons coach, Goodwin, online following their defeat by St Kilda in July.
‘Currently waiting outside Simon Goodwin’s car: Don’t fret, fellow Melbourne fans, you won’t need to worry any further,’ an X user wrote, adding an image of a car in a car park to the post.
‘The AFL is just taking all the precautions that they need, and I think that’s what we need in our game.
‘And after last week, we just [put ourselves in the hands] of the AFL, and just a little bit extra [security] this week,’ Goodwin said when pressed on the beefed-up security measures.
