Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes believes Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge “comes into next year under significant pressure” after Saturday’s elimination final collapse against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
The Dogs led by as much as 41 points in the first half before the Dockers stormed back into the contest before ultimately overrunning their opponents to seal a 13-point win.
It marked a horror return to finals action at Optus Stadium for the Dogs, who in last year’s grand final conceded a 93-point swing to fall to Melbourne.
Watch every match prior to the AFL grand final Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
While Beveridge said it was “dangerous” to compare the two matches, Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said Saturday’s loss was arguably more damning.
“This one’s worse,” he said on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“It’s Fremantle, who had four players who had played in a final, they’re 41 points down and they just capitulated.”
Beveridge enters the final year of his current contract in 2023, which was part of a contract extension penned midway through the 2019 season.
Cornes said the 52-year-old would enter next season with pressure to perform.
“I think the role of a coach is to maximise what you’ve got on your list. Luke Beveridge, if he really looks in the mirror and says have I maximised what I’ve got on the talent on my list, the answer is clearly no,” he said.
“I don’t think they really want for much on that list – you line the Western Bulldogs’ forward line up last night with Fremantle’s, it’s chalk and cheese – but Justin Longmuir has put a defensive process and strategy in place that has held up all year, Luke Beveridge has been unable to do that.
“He comes into next year under significant pressure.”
