Kane Cornes doesn’t think the Western Bulldogs should extend Luke Beveridge beyond 2023 before seeing how they start next season.
Cornes’ comments come after Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains suggested that both parties were keen on an extension with talks “really positive” after the club’s football program resumed last week.
While Beveridge is a club legend having led the Bulldogs to the 2016 premiership, Cornes believes he had a “poor year” in 2022 and feels there’s “nothing to gain” by extending him before mid-year.
“A couple of things struck me, what’s to gain for the Western Bulldogs by extending Luke Beveridge right now?” Cornes asked.
“I didn’t think he had a great year. I wonder how long winning a premiership buys you as a coach.
“If I was in the position of the Western Bulldogs, I’d be waiting until at least mid-year.
“The art of when to re-contract a coach is not easy, we’ve seen that recently with St Kilda and Brett Ratten.
“But I just thought he had a poor year.”
While Beveridge led the Bulldogs to a top-eight finish last campaign, Cornes feels that the season was a failure due to the talent on their list and the failure to address defensive issues.
“I think their list is a top five list, I don’t think their list wants for too much,” Cornes explained.
“You can talk about key defenders behind the ball, but every list has something they would like to address.
“But the talent of their midfield, the young key position players coming through, star centre-half forward in Naughton and a star captain, but they refuse to defend.”
“I thought the (2021) Grand Final, the second half, was embarrassing for them.
“Their Elimination Final loss to Fremantle after being up by 34 points at quarter time was also embarrassing.”
On top of falling short of his expectations, Cornes doesn’t think Beveridge has been a good public ambassador for the club after airing his grievances to the media on multiple occasions across the last two seasons.
“Furthermore, this may be harsh, I don’t think he’s been a great ambassador for the club,” Cornes said.
“I go back to his public comments, bizarre targeting of the media in the lead-up to that Grand Final, he was concerned about footage and leaks of that song after the Port Adelaide game that got out.
“He then had the issue with Tom Morris, he made some comments about the treatment of Aaron Naughton this year that were proven false and out of line.
“I just don’t think he’s been a great ambassador and I think it’s an important year for him.
“I wouldn’t be signing him to a contract extension now, I’d almost make him earn it.”
Beveridge is currently only one of three coaches without a contract beyond 2023 but it appears he’ll remain at the Whitten Oval beyond his ninth season in charge.