‘Feel sorry for you': Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge drops mic on journo
Beveridge and Cornes clashed before the Bulldogs' match with Geelong in round 12, and amid renewed criticism from the former Port Adelaide player turned shock jock after the Bulldogs' loss to Adelaide, the coach went again on Wednesday.
After being questioned about the criticism, which included Cornes declaring the Bulldogs coach was steering an elite list of players 'like a busted Camry', Beveridge asked the assembled media a the end of his weekly press conference if anyone worked with him.
'Does anyone work with him? Is anyone from Channel 7,' Beveridge asked the assembled media.
When football reporter Xander McGuire, the son of former Collingwood president Eddie, put his hand up, Beveridge smiled and said 'I just feel sorry for you' and laughed as he walked off.
Beveridge had earlier scoffed when asked if he took any notice of Cornes but conceded it was hard to argue with him and others highlighting the 'fact' that the Bulldogs hadn't beaten anyone above them on the ladder, with clashes against reigning premiers Brisbane and top-four aspirants GWS to come in the next three weeks.
But he also said it wouldn't 'creep' into the players' psyche.
'We've been beaten by small margins by good sides,' Beveridge said.
'What do you put that down to? There are so many variables in the game that relate to better opposition just getting you by two or three goals.
'That won't even creep in.
'We don't talk about it. We understand it, but it won't have anything to do with our preparation for Brisbane.'
The Bulldogs' defensive issues have been called out as a major problem with their premiership ambitions, and Beveridge said key defender Liam Jones, who has only played four games this year and none since round 7 amid injury and form issues, would be discussed as an inclusion.
'Over the years we have picked the team based on performance,' Beveridge said.
'Liam has been through a period when he's been a bit crook, he's had one or two niggles, he's trying to find his way back to his best.
'The team this week will be selected on previous state league level performances and health.
'There will be some changes, but we'll work through them.'
Beveridge confirmed former No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan had returned to the club after more time away due to personal reasons and was 'chipping away' in his bid to get back to football.
'He's had some sorry business, some bereavement stuff back with the mob in Framlingham, and he's working his way back now through his fitness levels,' he said.
'He'll train – he probably won't do the whole session (on Monday), but he'll get through parts of it.'
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