That flag came in 1954 and the club’s most recent Grand Final was in 1961.
It has come close, losing seven preliminary finals since 1985 but not cracked it for the big dance.
Like any new coach, he faces several questions ranging from the obvious to the not so obvious.
Dogs finally sign their new coach
AFL.com.au poses 10 questions on the day of his appointment.
1. How does he manage the expectations on Tom Boyd?
Boyd will receive more focus than any other young player next season having signed a multi-million dollar deal after just nine games and one season at GWS. Last year’s No.1 draft pick has been recruited to solve the Bulldogs’ key forward problems and his huge contract has raised expectations that he might be the difference between success and failure. Expect Beveridge to become like a broken record talking about Boyd, but the questions will keep coming because with big money comes big demands, even if some will be unreasonable. Seeing how Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson dealt with the constant focus on Lance Franklin will be good experience.
2. How does the club keep a rein on the wage expectations of other young stars?
With Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Luke Dahlhaus, Jack Macrae and Jake Stringer already showing their class at AFL level, they will become attractive targets for other clubs and demand big contracts in the future. Beveridge has come from Hawthorn, a club that has kept pay scales relative, looked after its stars and created an environment that makes good players want to stay. Liberatore won the club's best and fairest, Macrae was runner-up and Dahlhaus finished fourth in 2014, with Melbourne enquiring about Dahlhaus during this year's trade period. Bontempelli has signed a deal tying him to the club until the end of 2017. Their names will be prominent in contract coverage in the next few seasons.
3. Can the club cover the experience lost, with Ryan Griffen, Shaun Higgins and Adam Cooney departing and Daniel Giansiracusa retiring?
The club lost 815 games experience from its list at the end of the season, as well as losing its skipper and best player in Griffen. Inevitably, that has an effect on teams regardless of the young talent, particularly with a side that has not yet learned how to regularly win, and with the game more dependent than ever on quick decisions being made on-field by leaders. The advantage it gives Beveridge is that much of the transition from the preliminary final years has already happened.
4. How will he manage the departures of stalwarts Robert Murphy, Dale Morris, Will Minson and Matthew Boyd in the next few seasons?
Murphy, Morris and Boyd have had brilliant careers with the Bulldogs, giving every ounce of their talent and energy at all times. Boyd is a competitor who re-signed for one year at the end of 2014 while Murphy looks likely to be the club's next captain. Morris is ever-reliable while Minson shoulders the ruck load and is just 28, so he has plenty of football ahead of him. If he can get the best out of Minson, Beveridge will have a passionate, fiery combatant in his line-up. The other three players seem to be self aware types who will know when their time comes.
5. Can he find a key defender?
Jordan Roughead has performed well in the key defensive role but the team is over-reliant on him, so Michael Talia will need to improve quickly. Beveridge is used to coaching makeshift defences, however, having held the reins at Hawthorn last year. Opposition coaches were impressed with the way the Hawks adapted quickly to whatever the opposition threw at them. The Bulldogs' defensive cupboard remains bare but it is likely to select young key defenders in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft, with Ed Vickers-Willis and Oscar McDonald two players with the potential to be available at a pick in the 20s when the Bulldogs make their first choice.
Dog defender to get second chance as a rookie
6. Does he need to fix the club's relationship with the media?
The club might not agree but the reality is, much of the media does not regard the Bulldogs as accessible compared to the rest of the competition. The result is, their supporters don't receive the same amount of information about their team or young stars as other fans and the club arguably suffers from it financially. At times last season just one media representative would roll up to the senior coach's compulsory weekly media conference. Beveridge is a good people person but even he admits he is a novice when it comes to the media attention and analysis that comes the way of a senior coach in the AFL, so he will need good guidance in that area. He needs to relax, be himself and quietly navigate what promises to be a honeymoon period for the game's newest coach.
7. What will be the best position for the club's brightest prospect Marcus Bontempelli?
Bontempelli will receive more attention this season after an amazing debut year and he will inevitably go through a period where he has to cope with the effect that has on his form. Beveridge will need to find a role that allows him to develop and helps improve the team while dealing with the inevitable questions about his progress. Although the club was keen to hose down any hype surrounding Bontempelli, he is a marketable player who drags supporters through the gate. He looks a natural midfielder who should emerge at a decent rate.
Bigger 'Bont' flying on the training track
8. Can he keep the back room dramas to a minimum?
As Beveridge said at his opening media conference, unity is essential for success. Given the recent events at the Bulldogs and the fact his senior assistant Brett Montgomery was a candidate for the coaching position, Beveridge will need to ensure Montgomery is keen to be on board for 2015. There are precedents for unsuccessful candidates making strong contributions at the club and gaining respect within the industry for their efforts. Brenton Sanderson stayed on successfully at Geelong after Chris Scott was appointed and Darren Crocker did the same at North Melbourne when Brad Scott started. Beveridge appears to want to appoint a captain quickly and get the coaching group behind him immediately. He has seen how Mick Malthouse (and Geoff Walsh as football manager) and Alastair Clarkson (and Mark Evans then Chris Fagan as football bosses) manage staff and develop people. He needs a strong football manager to succeed. Along with a good president, CEO and football director, that role is an essential component of any successful program.
9. Can the Bulldogs win a flag?
Bulldogs supporters are a patient bunch, having won one premiership in 1954 and not having played in a Grand Final since 1961. However they can turn quickly if things don't go their way. Beveridge takes over a list that needs to be developed and he will need to be given time. If he can lead the club to its second flag he might motivate the club to build a second statue alongside Ted Whitten.
10. What does he need for success?
Clubs are bigger than individuals and are reliant on the pillars of success: a strong president and board, a competent CEO, a trusted football director, a decisive, respected football manager, a forever-learning coach, skilled staff and committed talent. It looks good when it's put in place but requires people to leave their ego on the hook.
