Kane Cornes believes a lack of effort from Gold Coast’s young stars was a key factor in their 76-49 loss to Fremantle on Saturday.
Suns defender Jack Lukosius had 19 disposals off half back in a decent offensive performance, but Cornes believes he’s costing his team with poor defensive efforts.
Speaking on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Cornes highlighted David Mundy’s first quarter goal as a clear sign of Lukosius' poor defensive mindset.
"A recruiter said to me the year that Jack Lukosius was drafted, that he was the next Malcolm Blight, but he's been allowed to get away with this."@kanecornes didn't like the accountability from the young Sun yesterday.#9AFLSFS | Watch @channel9 pic.twitter.com/YIJEBtq6SD
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) June 13, 2021
“A recruiter said to me prior to the year that Jack Lukosius was drafted that he’s the next Malcolm Blight,” Cornes said.
“He’s been allowed to get away with this, he’s a defender here up against (David) Mundy, he’s gone his own way looking for a handball receive and to get on the end of it.
“He has to defend, and he has to learn how to defend.”
Cornes also brought up footage of Travis Colyer’s third term snap for goal as another example of Lukosius not being strong enough defensively.
“Once again, a ground ball here, he’s just no strong enough,” Cornes added.
“I don’t want to make it about just Jack Lukosius, but he’s too good to be putting in efforts like this.
“I just wonder and perhaps point the finger at the coaching. Are they coaching these young players hard enough?
“It’s all well and good to play half back and get the handball receive and beautiful kick, all nice. But when you’ve got to defend playing as a defender who’s nearly 200cm, you must defend, Gold Coast have been allowed to play far too lose, and that was the case again yesterday.”
Lukosius has played 50 games for the Suns since being drafted second overall in the 2018 National Draft.