AFL 2024: Luke Beveridge ‘surprised’ as Western Bulldogs defender Liam Jones pushes for return

A cautious Luke Beveridge says Liam Jones will need to train strongly to complete his bid to return against Sydney only three weeks after suffering a medial ligament injury.

The star defender is pushing to return as the Bulldogs eye an opportunity to take down the ladder leaders at their most vulnerable point this season, but Beveridge cast doubt over his chances.

Jones, 33, is poised to form a new key defensive partnership with Rory Lobb after the 206cm swingman was dominant in Saturday’s 47-point win over Geelong.

Beveridge said the veteran had been diligent in maintaining his fitness but suggested he was concerned by how long he had been “off legs”.

“Does he look like he’s coming back in? Was that our club (saying that), was it? Surprised me, actually, so it would be a good result (if Jones returns),” Beveridge said.

“Conversations with our staff … he’s an ultra-professional, Jonesy, he’s been cross-training and getting his blowouts, but time on legs this week … it’s OK, we’ll wait and see.”

If he ticked the boxes required in Wednesday and Friday’s sessions, Jones would return to bolster a backline Beveridge said had been a “moving feast” this season amid a raft of injuries to other key defenders in Alex Keath, Ryan Gardner and James O’Donnell.

“I think the backline along with the forward line have been the moving feasts of the year for us,” he said.

“With our backline, to see the way they went about it on the weekend, they’ll credit their teammates for the pressure put on (Geelong’s ball carriers), but as a group they were pretty outstanding.”

Having lost three of their last four games and facing significant injuries for the first time this season, the Swans look as beatable as they have been all season, but Beveridge warned their unpredictability at the selection table would pose challenges for the Dogs.

Important trio Dane Rampe, Tom Papley and Justin McInerney will all be missing from the side that ran over the top of the Bulldogs in round 11, while clouds also hang over the availability of Will Hayward (ankle) and James Rowbottom (cheekbone).

“That presents us with a challenge, the uncertainty of what they’ll look like. They’ll be a bit different to what we came up against last time,” Beveridge said.

“It’s a really important opportunity to create some layers in what we’re capable of doing. It should be a fierce battle.”