Kane Cornes tells Adelaide Crows hierarchy to ‘step up and face the music’
KANE Cornes has savaged Adelaide over its lack of transparency during another week of off-field turmoil at the club as the preseason camp reared its ugly head again and Mitch McGovern and key staff announce plans to leave.
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KANE Cornes has savaged Adelaide over its lack of transparency during a week of off-field turmoil at the club.
While Port Adelaide, which had an equally disappointing season in also missing the finals, has gone on the front foot and done more than its share of media, Cornes accused the Crows — who have had key forward Mitch McGovern request a trade and assistant coaches Josh Francou and Tate Kaesler leave — of going underground.
“After losing to Essendon on Friday night the Power hierarchy could not have been more accessible to their fans,’’ said Cornes, the Power’s only 300-game player, on Sportsday SA.
“(Coach) Ken Hinkley spoke on Melbourne radio on Tuesday and spent half an hour on the FIVEaa sports show on Wednesday night where no question was off limits.
“Power president David Koch honoured his weekly commitment with the FIVEaa breakfast team on Monday.
“Head of football Chris Davies held a media conference and joined myself and ‘Blighty’ (Malcolm Blight) on Wednesday to answer the hard questions.
“Outgoing assistant coach Brendon Lade and All-Australian nominee Tom Jonas have also spoken to the media since the season ended.
“Over at West Lakes the ever frustrated supporter base are still waiting to hear from key officials on the vast array of issues confronting the club this off-season.
“Several requests from this radio station to speak to a club spokesman have been denied and only captain Taylor Walker has honoured a paid Triple M media gig and spoken to the media.
‘Adelaide have clearly learnt nothing from their disastrous ducks and drakes media policy that has served only to alienate fans.’’
Eddie Betts also spoke to FIVEaa as part of his paid commitments on Thursday morning.
It came after FIVEaa host and former Crow Stephen Rowe echoed Cornes’ sentiments, questioning why it was up to players such as Walker and Betts to speak on behalf of the club.
Cornes was not impressed with chief executive Andrew Fagan’s response when he was approached by media in the Crows car park on Tuesday.
“Watch the car was the only response from Andrew Fagan and if looks could kill, why is Josh Francou leaving the coaches department one year into a three-year contract?,’’ Cornes said.
“And is he publicly saying he is going back to teaching only because the club won’t let him break his deal to join Gold Coast.
“Why is the other assistant coach Tate Kaesler leaving? And on the back of (Charlie) Cameron and (Jake) Lever leaving last year, why is Mitch McGovern wanting out and breaking a three-year contract?
“What answers are left remaining from the (pre-season) camp.
“Adelaide’s strategy of shutting down and censoring the information to their fans doesn’t work.
“Step up and face the music.’’