The younger West was dropped after playing his first full game for the season against Richmond - when he had just five disposals - and was used as the medical sub against Carlton.

It prompted a Facebook post from his father, who won seven best and fairest awards across 324 games at Whitten Oval, reproaching Beveridge for "absolutely disgraceful management".

Beveridge, who played alongside the older West at the Bulldogs from 1993-1995, lamented the fact West's complaint had been made public.

"Rhylee and I have come together ... Rhylee and my relationship's extremely strong and in a sense I feel like a little bit of a father figure to Rhylee at times," Beveridge said on Friday.

"(I was) just reassuring him that everything's going to be okay and just the sensitivity around something like that being made public - everyone's really wary and cautious and definitely emotional towards Rhylee, to make sure he's okay.

"Likewise, people have been extending that empathetic voice towards me as well because something that should be private went public.

"Look that happens from time to time - it's an emotional game. But for Rhylee's sake, I hope that we just move on because he's just scratching the surface in his career and there'll be some disappointment here and there.

"A lot of the boys have been through it and when you're fielding strong sides from week to week, unfortunately occasionally some of the lads are missing out."

Beveridge said welfare manager Brent Prismall worked closely with players' parents "about their own emotions", while he also occasionally spoke to them.

But he wouldn't be drawn on whether West's status as a club great made the situation more complex.

"With Scott and I, historically, we played together, we've been really close mates," he said.

"So I'd rather not really extend the commentary around that aspect if I can."

Australian Associated Press