Change forecast at Western Bulldogs after ‘alarming’ sign during finals defeat to Adelaide

Kanes Cornes expects change to be afoot at the Western Bulldogs in the wake of their elimination final defeat to Adelaide.

The Dogs lost their sixth elimination final in 12 years under Luke Beveridge on Saturday night, thrusting the coach and list management team into the spotlight ahead of a massive off-season.

Port Adelaide free agent Zak Butters is still yet to settle on where he wants to play next year but the Bulldogs remain in the hunt, despite Geelong offering an enticing alternative for the superstar midfielder.

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It would be a major blow for the Bulldogs if Butters does decide to head to the Cats, given they had been seen as his most likely destination for over 12 months until recent weeks.

And Cornes says their problems go beyond the chase for the Power star.

“They’ve got some issues with their list, the Western Bulldogs, in terms of Tim English,” Cornes told SEN on Monday.

“I think that’s a big call that needs to be made, and if you can get him to a new home, do it as quickly as you possibly can.

“It was alarming, his performance, poor old Tim. His last two performances, to be fair.

“If he wants out, drive him to the airport, would be my advice.”

Tim English has interest from GWS. Credit: Matt Turner/AAPIMAGE

English had 10 disposals and 19 hitouts against the Crows and has been at the club since being drafted in 2016, but has strong interest from GWS.

Cornes added Beveridge could be under the pump to keep his job as well after the early exit, despite having a contract for 2027.

“And then do they go with Luke Beveridge again? Is the elephant in the room? Or does he walk away, has he had enough?” he posed.

“I think that’s going to play out in the next week or so, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s coached his last game at the Western Bulldogs — either his call or the club’s call, but they’ll make that call in the coming weeks I reckon.”

Luke Beveridge is under pressure after the Bulldogs lost their elimination final. Credit: Getty

Beveridge remains bullish about his club’s future prospects but says it’s unknown if his playing squad will be bolstered by the arrival of superstar midfielder Butters.

Asked if the potential arrival of Butters could elevate his team, Beveridge said it was “too early to be speculating on that sort of stuff”.

“It’s going to be difficult for everyone with the compromised draft over the next couple of years, and I believe we’ve set ourselves up pretty well,” he said.

Beveridge was confident both Arty Jones and Buku Khamis would remain at the Bulldogs.

“The signs are pretty good with Buk (Khamis) and Arty,” he said.

“We’re getting to the point where that’ll come to a head shortly and we’re really hopeful that those two boys are going to be with us next year.

Jones, who kicked a career-high four goals against Collingwood last week, is out-of-contract and Essendon and Brisbane have been pursuing the West Australian.

The Bulldogs have reportedly put a three-year contract to the small forward, while Khamis has been heavily linked with a move to Carlton.

The Bulldogs are expected to sign key Adelaide defender Jordon Butts, who falls out of contract at season’s end.

With AAP