Graham Cornes almost denied entry to Adelaide Oval event after failing to meet strict dress code

SA footy legend Graham Cornes was almost denied entry into Seven’s 2019 program launch at Adelaide Oval after failing to meet the strict dress code in the members’ area.

SA footy legend Graham Cornes was almost denied entry into Seven’s 2019 program launch at Adelaide Oval after failing to meet the strict dress code in the members’ area.

The former Crows coach-turned-media personality rocked up to the event in the Riverbank Stand’s Premiership Suite wearing a t-shirt and blazer and was initially refused entry by Oval staff for not wearing a collar.

“I was going for the Don Johnson look... but the guy at the door said I wasn’t wearing a collar so he couldn’t let me in,” says Graham, who kicked the match-winning goal on the hallowed turf in the 1973 SANFL Grand Final, and has a deck named after him in the Oval’s Eastern Stand. “The guy was just doing his job, I was a little embarrassed. I thought I was going to get kicked out.”

Graham Cornes “thought he was going to get kicked out” after failing to meet the strict dress code at an Adelaide Oval function.

After some discussion, Oval staff relented and let Graham into the VIP launch, where he joined Crows players including captain Tex Walker and Rory Sloane and Seven stars Edwina Bartholomew and Johanna Griggs for a special preview of Seven’s 2019 shows.

The incident comes just days after Australian Open security stopped tennis legend Roger Federer from entering the players-only locker room area of Melbourne Park because he wasn’t wearing his tournament ID.

Graham and old radio sparring partner Ken ‘KG’ Cunningham will reunite for the first time in almost a decade this weekend when they kick off their new FIVEaa Saturday morning Sports Show from 9am-12pm.

“Lucky it’s only a couple of hours a week – he couldn’t handle me for any longer than that,” laughs Graham.

The pair co-hosted the FIVEaa drivetime show for 17 years before Ken left the station in 2008.