Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes to move to Channel 7 next year and join the network’s AFL coverage

The in-demand media personality won’t take a backward step as he prepares to make his move to Channel 7 next year.

Former Port Adelaide footballer, now outspoken radio host, Kane Cornes will move to Seven. Picture: Sarah Reed

Kane Cornes has vowed he won’t change his polarising style as he makes his move to Channel 7.

In a massive coup for the network, Cornes has signed a lucrative deal to join Seven’s AFL coverage in 2025, which will see him provide live expert commentary on TV for the first time. The Port Adelaide great will also share his opinion and analysis across multiple platforms, including news bulletins around the country.

Kane Cornes with his three sons. Cornes’ new signing with Seven should allow him to spend more time at home on the weekends. Picture: Matt Turner

Cornes, 41, said it was “hard to say goodbye” to Channel 9, the station where he started in 2016, a year after giving up the game following 300 matches with the Power.

But he said it had been a longtime goal of his to work at Seven, and the offer from the network’s director of sport, Chris Jones, was impossible to refuse.

“It’s where you want to be. The attraction of being on the biggest games, in the biggest coverage to the biggest audiences, was too good an offer not to take up,” he said.

“To work on the host broadcaster... this is as big an opportunity as I’m going to get.”

Cornes has hit the headlines several times this year, including for mocking Trent Cotchin’s social media appearance for Seven, a Triple M radio stoush with Luke Darcy, and his scathing criticism of Collingwood captain Darcy Moore.

“Richo (Matthew Richardson) hates me because I’m critical of Richmond, Darce (Luke Darcy) and I have had it out ... I don’t think he’s my biggest fan. I don’t think Trent (Cotchin) is a big fan either, but everyone else should be fine,” Cornes said.

But he’s adamant “nothing will change at all” when it comes to his hard-hitting style, which often divides viewers and listeners.

“That’s something we have discussed and that’s something that appealed to Chris and his team,” said Cornes, who will remain on Nine until the end of the AFL season.

“I’m me and my style won’t change. I’m looking forward to doing what I do, and what I do well.”

Cornes said it was hard to say goodbye to Channel Nine, but the deal from Seven was impossible to refuse. Picture: Matt Turner

Seven Network director of sport Chris Jones said Cornes’ “hard-hitting opinions” and “candid commentary” would take coverage to a new level.

“Kane is an agenda-setter who backs up his opinion with an unrivalled work ethic and passion for the game,” he said.

The move will also see Cornes join his father, SA footy legend and Seven expert Graham Cornes.

“Maybe we can do a little segment on Channel 7 Adelaide together? I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it. But he was thrilled when he heard the news, as were Lucy and the boys and mum as well,” the four-time Power best and fairest said.

Cornes will continue to live in Adelaide and commute to Melbourne during the week, but said the new role should give him more time at home on the weekends.