Kane Cornes steps away mid-season amid controversies

Divisive footy commentator Kane Cornes has taken a step back from his overloaded schedule in the wake of several controversies.

Divisive footy commentator Kane Cornes has taken a step back from his overloaded schedule in the wake of several controversies.

Cornes was nowhere to be seen on Sunday night for his usual commitments with Channel 7 and the AFL.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

He was also replaced by Sam Edmund who took over the hosting duties for Cornes’ SEN radio slot on Monday morning.

CODE Sports first reported the news of Cornes’ mid-season break which comes after the 42-year-old found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

In April, the Channel 7 protagonist was black-listed by North Melbourne in an extraordinary move.

The move came after North Melbourne accused Cornes of “bullying behaviour” and “vindictive attacks” on the club and its players.

Two weeks ago he was back in the spotlight after he was involved in a fiery confrontation with Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.

Kane Cornes and Luke Beveridge went at it.

Despite not appearing on his regular programming, Channel 7 have said the time away is nothing out of the ordinary for their talent and he’ll be back behind the microphone for Round 13.

“All of our talent take time off throughout the AFL season. Just like the players have a bye round, we make sure our team gets a break too,” O’Keeffe said

“This is Kane’s scheduled leave, and he’ll be back on deck for Thursday Night Footy this week.

“Dale Thomas will step into the Agenda Setters chair tonight, alongside Caroline Wilson, Craig Hutchison and Nick Riewoldt. Tomorrow night, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell joins the panel alongside Luke Hodge, Craig Hutchison and Caroline Wilson.”

Kane Cornes will be back for Channel 7 on Thursday night. Picture: Michael Klein

Cornes made the blockbuster switch to join Channel 7 after years behind the microphone at Channel 9.

“It was an opportunity that I was thrilled to have a listen to. It was too good to pass up,” Cornes said on SEN after the move was announced in August last year.

“It’s been weighing on me a little bit with Channel 9 because they’ve been so amazing and it’s such a great place to work.

“I get along with everyone so well there and I think the shows we do there are excellent.

“To tell everyone as I did (on Monday) was a weight off the chest and I’ll move on to a place that I’m really excited to join.”

Originally published as Kane Cornes steps away mid-season amid controversies