Beveridge backs young defenders as Dogs renew chase for the eight

WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is backing his inexperienced defensive cornerstones Lewis Young and Zaine Cordy to contain Essendon’s tall forwards threat today at Etihad Stadium.

With just 27 AFL games between them, Young, 18, and Cordy, 20, will confront inform Bombers duo Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker, with the premiers desperate to stay in touch with the top eight.

“They are doing outstandingly well; it’s exciting to see the two of them progress and improve their performance,” Beveridge said before a final training session yesterday.

“Lewy is probably like Marcus Adams last year, it’s like he has played 100 games.

“He was playing a really good level at VFL standard but he has taken to AFL like a duck to water.”

With Daniher (47 goals) in the Coleman Medal race, Beveridge acknowledges the threat the Essendon star provides.

“Last year when we played the Bombers, Joe was marking but wasn’t converting and he’s definitely kicking a little straighter this year,” he said.

“So, we’ll do our best to minimise that.”

Beveridge said returning key forward Travis Cloke was a popular figure around the club ready to reboot his career in his first game for seven weeks.

“We just want him to free himself, be an offensive threat and a target to go to and just be a really important part of the 22,” Beveridge said. “He’s a great organiser. Travis is a very mature and experienced player and we continue to need that direction (up forward).”