Beveridge questioned as Dogs let another one slip

Under the pump: Western Bulldogs’ coach Luke Beveridge is having his approach called into question after another loss. Photo: MORGAN HANCOCK/ AAP IMAGE

THE Western Bulldogs let another opportunity slip on Saturday night as they went down 75-97 to Geelong at Marvel Stadium.

It marks the second consecutive week the Bulldogs have lost while having more scoring shots than their opponents with the club now holding a seven and five record after 12 rounds.

Kane Cornes pointed to a lack of influence from their key forwards as reason to why the Bulldogs didn’t run over the top of the Cats despite leading halfway through the third term.

“They had no influence up forward last night,” Cornes told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“[Aaron] Naughton was soundly beaten by [Sam] De Koning, it was good to see him go back.

“He kicked 38 goals last year Rory Lobb and he had a big contract that he came in on.

“You just wonder about Luke Beveridge’s tactics at times and his want to change things up and throw things around so drastically.”

Cornes’ co-host Matthew Lloyd also questioned Beveridge’s tactics and said he feels the coach often makes too many strategic moves that put players in positions they’re not suited to.

“It frustrates me so often, the unpredictable decisions,” Lloyd said.

“It’s a great story [James] O’Donnell but they say, ‘We move Lobb to the wing so now O’Donnell is in the forward line’, but I don’t think any position is right there.

“O’Donnell doesn’t look ready at this stage but he’s being persevered with and then Lobb isn’t a wingman.

“They find form the Western Bulldogs, but then there are some strategic moves are made [that are confusing].

“It might be what makes him a good coach at times, but I think it’s also a weakness.”

With 25 scoring shots to Geelong’s 22, Lloyd also added that accuracy in front of goal is one thing holding the Bulldogs back from joining the competition’s elite.

“Their goal-kicking is horrendous,” he said.

“They should have buried the Suns in the first quarter [last week] and last night it was terrible again.

“It’s costing them games of footy.”

The Bulldogs face Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Friday night with the Power entering the clash with nine-straight wins to their name.

– LACHLAN GELEIT/ SEN