The feud between Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and expert AFL commentator Kane Cornes is clearly not dissipating with Beveridge again proving he is not handling criticism well.

After losing to Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on the weekend, the Dogs are currently ninth on the ladder with a questionable record against teams above them on the ladder.

Stream The Agenda Setters for free, live or on-demand, anytime at 7plus

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

They conceded 109 points in the loss to the Crows and Cornes, who rates the playing group highly, has put the coach in the spotlight due to the team’s “deplorable” defensive profile.

They are 1-7 against top-eight teams this year and rank ninth for points against.

“Every single year I sit in a chair like this and we’ve got the same discussion about the Bulldogs,” Cornes said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.

“So we’re here again because no coach does less with more than that man, Luke Beveridge. Sam Power (Bulldogs list boss) has handed him a high-powered sports car and he drives it like a busted up Camry. That’s just the reality of it.”

Cornes clearly hit a nerve with Beveridge unable to bite his tongue during a media conference on Wednesday.

When questioned about Cornes’ latest swipe, Beveridge asked if any of the journalists present worked with the 300-game Port Adelaide great.

“I just feel sorry for you,” Beveridge said, before walking off.

Beveridge’s feuding history with members of the media is long and rich.

And Cornes’ questions on the Bulldogs and the coach are not without reason.

Cornes believes the list is up there with the best teams in the comp and thinks they will feature in the finals.

But they rank ninth for points against from turnovers at 44.6 per game and are 14th for stopping their opposition scoring once they are inside-50.

“They’re so offensively minded with the football that when you do turn the footy over, off turnover, they’re horrible,” Cornes said.

“And their profile, they don’t score heavily enough off their own turnover.

“They’ll make the finals. But once again, we’re having the exact same conversation about a coach that they re-signed when they didn’t need to.”

On Friday the Bulldogs have a huge clash with reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba which shapes as season-defining.

Last time they played in Gather Round in April, the Dogs led the Lions by 39 points.

But in a dramatic change of events, the Lions found form to produce a 60-point swing and win by 21 points.

Marcus Bontempelli ‘close’ to re-signing with Bulldogs

Luke Beveridge believes the club and captain Marcus Bontempelli are moving closer to a new deal.

Arguably the best player in the AFL, the 29-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season.

With just six weeks before the end of the home and away campaign, Bulldogs fans have become increasingly anxious about their premiership-winning superstar.

While tight-lipped, Beveridge’s response and grin indicated he wasn’t too concerned about Bontempelli potentially seeking a league-shifting move elsewhere.

“I think we’re getting close, but that’s all I can really say,” Beveridge said on Wednesday.

Beveridge’s remarks came on a day when Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returned to the club after more than a week away spent dealing with a family matter back in his home in western Victoria.

Ugle-Hagan trained with the main group as the Dogs prepare for their Friday night blockbuster against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

The 23-year-old hasn’t played a game at any level this season after dealing with mental health and personal issues.

“I can’t really give you much other than he’s chipping away, and he’s training when he can,” Beveridge said of Ugle-Hagan.

“He’s had some bereavement stuff back with the mob in Framlingham and he’s working his way back through his fitness levels.”

- With AAP