‘Complete bulls***’: Channel 7 footy commentator rubbishes Kane Cornes

Kane Cornes’ decision to leave Channel 9 is getting more awkward by the day with a public feud re-igniting this week.

Dale Thomas and Kane Cornes. Photo: Getty and Channel 9.

Dale Thomas has rubbished Kane Cornes as the pair prepare to work alongside each other next year.

Cornes has caused headlines this week with his divisive comments about Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters during the Power’s disastrous qualifying final loss to Geelong.

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Cornes hit a nerve with his criticism of Butters with AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh suggesting Cornes effectively called Butters “soft” for coming off the ground with a rib injury.

Cornes on Monday night strongly refuted the suggestion, saying Marsh had “put words into my mouth”.

Despite this, Thomas on Wednesday took a crack at Cornes, reigniting their public war of words.

“Which is complete bulls**t,’’ Thomas said on Triple M’s Midweek Rub when discussing Cornes’ criticism.

“And if (Cornes) was sitting direct to me at any stage in front of a microphone or in front of me at the pub, I’d tell him that is the dumbest thing I’ve heard for a long while.”

Thomas is reportedly set for a more significant role in Channel 7’s footy coverage in 2025 with Cornes set to join the rival network after completing his duties with Channel 9 this year.

Cornes has on several occasions said it will not be awkward for him when he walks into Channel 7 offices next year despite having taken swipes at several Seven personalities, including Thomas, Luke Darcy, Cameron Ling and Trent Cotchin.

Dale Thomas and Kane Cornes. Photo: Getty and Channel 9.

Cornes’ potentially awkward dynamic with Thomas was also one of the issues highlighted by the Footy Show panel when it was lampooning the footy shock jock on Sunday.

Thomas and Cornes have a history with Cornes previously taking a public swipe at the former Collingwood premiership-winner over comments he has made in the media.

Cornes last year labelled Thomas “lazy” and said he only worked “part-time”, claiming “Daisy” had copied his comments when he said Richmond’s Tim Taranto did not “influence games”.

“I’m sick of some lazy members of the AFL media, I’m sick of AFL figures having opinions off the back of other AFL figures,” Cornes said last year.

“For the likes of Daisy Thomas and (former Collingwood coach) Tony Shaw, who work part-time and they don’t have to do a lot of on-air time, for their big opinions this week to be something I said 12 months ago on SEN SA is embarrassing.

“Get up early, watch the games, work hard and stop having opinions off other people’s opinions.

“If I employed these people, I’d want my money back.”

Channel 9 AFL commentator Kane Cornes on The Footy Show.

Channel 7 stars Brian Taylor and Dale Thomas at the Brownlow after party.

Thomas last year fired back, saying: “I don’t think he needs to flatter himself with the fact that I’m just purely sifting through his crap and what he’s saying to have a hot take.

“It’s not a hot take, it was purely just a discussion in and around saying that Tim Taranto isn’t in the top 150 players is completely factually and statistically incorrect.

“For [Kane Cornes] to come out and say ‘I’m sick of these media types having opinions on other media types’ opinions’, what is going through his brain at the moment?”

According to reports, Cornes and Thomas will work side by side on Channel 7’s Thursday night footy broadcasts and other projects.

Thomas poured fuel on the fire with a cheeky swipe at Cornes on social media this week.

“Dear Mr Volcano. In an effort to start off on a good note, I have created a list of things I will except as an “olive branch” or “fence mender”,’’ he posted.

“Box of Carlton Draught Stubbies, Cadbury Chocolate, Alarm Clock (to get up early), Bellroy note book, list of controversial conversation starters, 200 word handwritten note about my work ethic, a photo of you in a fireman’s outfit. a Prison Bar Port Jumper, a Strava Membership, a follow on Insta so I can tag you (see next slide).

“Regards; the 7-day-a-week “part timer”.”

The human resources department will be busy at Seven next year.

Originally published as ‘Complete bulls***’: Channel 7 footy commentator rubbishes Kane Cornes