"No excuses": Why Cornes isn't buying the Dogs' defensive doubts

The Western Bulldogs' glaring defensive woes have hindered their chances of maximising their returns on a star-studded list.

However, Kane Cornes isn't buying the excuse any longer.

With the likes of Rory Lobb, James O'Donnell and Jedd Busslinger headlining their key defensive stocks, the Bulldogs' issues behind the ball saw them fall well short of the mark in 2025, missing the eight despite winning 14 games across the season.

Leaking scores far easier than coach Luke Beveridge would have liked, the strength of the side's elite midfield and the consistency ahead of the ball kept them in games and in the hunt for a finals place, however, without managing to source any fresh faces to solidify their weak back half, the Dogs enter 2026 without the necessary defensive reinforcements to hold them amongst the top contenders.

That said, Cornes believes that individuals within a defensive set-up aren't the be all and end all, citing other successful defensive units in comparison to the Dogs' as reference for what can be achieved without a stacked back 50.

Having already tipped the Bulldogs to win the Premiership, Kane doesn't believe that their defensive unit is as bad as it's often made out to be.

“That’s going to be the overwhelming feedback if the Western Bulldogs don’t have the success that they should with this list,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.

“Is there defence that much worse than other teams that have had success in the competition? I don’t think it is at all!

“Collingwood make a prelim final - and it’s mainly the key defenders when we’re talking about the Western Bulldogs, the lack of key defensive depth that most people in football point to – Collingwood made a prelim final with Billy Frampton, Darcy Moore, who is not the player he was at all three years ago, and Jeremy Howe, who had a ripped groin at 35 years of age.

“They made a prelim. So, you’re telling me that the Western Bulldogs’ defence of O’Donnell, Lobb, and Busslinger, who will be a very good player, is any worse?”

Sam Edmund: “Busslinger will be a very good player?”

Cornes: “He is going to be as good as Frampton, let me tell you that! Who has been to three clubs…”

Edmund: “At least Billy Frampton can get out there! Jedd Busslinger isn’t even getting picked!”

Cornes: “They have enough options. How many injuries did Collingwood have last year?

“They rushed Jeremy Howe back in because they were desperate for anyone to come and take a body as a key defender in that lineup.

“Is Port Adelaide’s 2024 prelim final defence of Aliir Aliir - yep, very good player, gun - Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Ryan Burton, Logan Evans and Lachie Jones any worse than the Western Bulldogs defence? No, it’s not!

“Is Brisbane’s premiership winning key defenders of Harris Andrews – awesome, legend, great player, no worries. But, then it’s Ryan Lester and Darcy Gardiner. Are they any worse than what the Western Bulldogs have got?

“And then you’ve got the most star-studded front half of the ground you’ve ever seen! Give me the Western Bulldogs’ defence if I get their midfield and their forward line over any of these.

“I just think it’s an excuse that we shouldn’t be giving to them, because other teams have had a lot of success. Adelaide finished on top of the ladder with their key defenders – Mark Keane and Nick Murray. Keane had seven kicked on him by (Jack) Gunston in one of the great baths you’ve ever seen in a finals series.

“The amount of stars that they have got in that lineup is frightening. All that needs to happen is that the defensive mechanisms from a team perspective come into play.

“Tim English is one of the great behind the play ruckman that we’ve got right now. He can get back and support – he was playing in defence in the practice games, no worries.

“They have enough pieces to be able to move around to be able to support this defence. I just don’t want the excuses!”

Listen to the full chat below: