Former AFL player and commentator Kane Cornes has become notorious for dragging the Western Bulldogs. In doing so, he commandeers their defensive posturing. His complaints, made during the last three years, have often been greeted by intense retort from the club’s director of football, Luke Beveridge. In the past few weeks, Beveridge has publicly discussed how poor team defense is a big issue with the Bulldogs. This recognition is an important step in an otherwise historically contentious relationship.
The Western Bulldogs are ninth on the AFL ladder, two wins in reality from the top eight. After a disastrous season for the franchise, their pitiful performance is now under the microscope, getting second guess from all angles. Cornes unapologetically shines a light on the Bulldogs’ defensive play. He focused a lot of his criticism on their lackluster performance to keep other teams from scoring. Earlier this year, tensions escalated between Cornes and Beveridge during a heated exchange before a game, which underscored their frosty relationship.
While this is all highly provocative, Beveridge’s recent acknowledgement that team defence has fallen short fits well with Cornes’ years of claims. Beveridge and emerging star Tom Liberatore both expressed somewhat of a sense of shame that this has been neglected recently. Further, their oral comments resulted in requiring the admission.
“That’ll be the one that stands out for us with our team defence — we need to do it better,” – Luke Beveridge
Cornes was understandably pleased with this recognition, saying it proves everything he’s said for years right. He made a good point, which is just that you want to be on the same page as the coach.
“So, to hear Luke Beveridge and Libba say that and acknowledge that’s been a big issue, to be on the same page now, is awesome.” – Kane Cornes
Prior to this concession, Beveridge had been giving Cornes heavy resistance. At some point, Beveridge pushed back hard on attacks leveled at the team’s defensive play. Cornes recalled these confrontations, stating,
“It’s sort of what I’ve been saying for three years; they’ve pushed back pretty hard on that, they’ve got pretty nasty at times when (they’ve) been asked about that question.” – Kane Cornes
Beveridge’s past intolerance to accept defensive problems was a major grievance for Cornes. He contended that the Bulldogs’ defensive shortcomings were evident for much of their seasons. The only other years were their premiership winning years.
“Well, no! These numbers have been the mainstay of their problems for every year other than the years they’ve played in the grand finals and won the premiership under Luke Beveridge and he’s refused to acknowledge it,” – Kane Cornes
Liberatore chimed in on the subject, acknowledging that the team’s approach on defense required some polish.
“Just more team defence. Our team defence wasn’t really good enough for what they try and do and how they move the ball.” – Tom Liberatore
