Kane Cornes has a “small concern” with the Western Bulldogs’ key forward options for the 2022 season.
With Josh Bruce recovering from an ACL injury, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan still learning his craft and Sam Darcy sidelined long-term with a foot injury, Cornes wonders if the Bulldogs are too reliant on spearhead Aaron Naughton.
“I like what both teams (Bulldogs and Essendon) are doing and the way both teams have been built,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“I guess the question mark over the Dogs would be with Josh Bruce not there - and he’s not going to be there for the majority of the season - are they too reliant on Aaron Naughton? That was probably the case yesterday, he looks sharp.
“Who is going to be the one to stand up and support Naughton in that forward 50 from a key position point of view? Because Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is not ready.
“It’s not unexpected for a second-year key position player to still be finding their feet, so be patient with him, and they will have to be. But I don’t think he will be there for Round 1 from what you could see yesterday.”
Cornes would like to see Tim English spend more time forward to provide further support for Naughton inside 50.
Bulldogs captain and star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli pushed forward and hit the scoreboard throughout last year, kicking a career-high 31 goals.
“He (English) kicked 19 goals last year and every time he does go forward, he looks really capable and he’s a good finisher,” Cornes said.
“If he can be a bit more aggressive, spend some time forward, you can probably get 30 goals out of him for the year and then they’re just going to have to use Bontempelli.
“I thought he was terrific forward last year and selfless in the way that he played.
“There’s a small concern with their key position prospects forward with the reliance on Naughton, particularly if he gets injured.”
Cornes holds similar concerns with Essendon’s forward structure heading into the new season.
Tall targets Harrison Jones and Peter Wright will be supported by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti – who was granted indefinite leave from the club – and last year’s leading goal-kicker Jake Stringer.
“Similarly for Essendon with their forward structure,” the Power champion said.
“How are they going to deal with getting 34 goals lost through McDonald-Tipungwuti if he doesn’t play much footy and Peter Wright, what can you expect from him? So where do their goals from come?”
Cornes was impressed with Essendon’s defensive pressure in Wednesday’s practice match against the Dogs at Tullamarine.
“I thought their pressure was terrific,” he said.
“Ben Rutten is a defensively minded coach and to keep the Dogs to 75 points yesterday, that would thrill him more than anything else that happened yesterday.
“I thought their pressure on the footy, their ability to turn it over and go back and score will be a marked improvement in their game and that’s a game style that will hold up.”
The Bombers beat the Bulldogs by six points as the two clubs continue their preparations for the season proper.