Time On: Albo sighting at the ‘G reveals PM embracing his love of the game

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appears to have put to bed any doubts over his interest in footy after a Friday night pitstop to the blockbuster elimination final at the MCG.

Time On is your wrap-up of all the footy media gossip and banter.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appears to have put to bed any doubts over his interest in footy after a Friday night pitstop to the blockbuster elimination final at the ‘G.

In May the PM was roasted for joining the Hawks’ club song after a win over the Saints in Launceston.

Many, including Channel 9 host Tony Jones, were incensed by Albo’s newfound affection for our game.

But as the marquee guest at the AFL’s pre-match function, Albo donned a Hawks scarf and was welcomed by league boss Andrew Dillon.

“Thank you so much for joining us,’’ Dillon said.

“We know how much you love your Hawks and it’s been great to see you at so many games this year. And I saw how passionately you did speak about your club at Canberra only a few weeks ago when you played against the Giants.

Anthony Albanese and Calsher Dear.

“Hawthorn president Andy Gowers actually called you the most important Hawk since Buddy (Franklin). Not sure if it’s because of your raking left foot or whether he needs to have a word with you about Dingley.”

Dillon drew some laughs commenting on how “stoically Hawthorn fans have handled the long finals drought you’ve been under”.

Albo politely obliged when asked for selfies in the room and mingled alongside guests including Eddie and Carla McGuire, Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus, Jeff Kennett, Craig Hutchison, Andrew Westacott, Ian Dickson, Paul Connors, David Smorgon and Mike Sheahan.

In the jubilant Hawthorn rooms post-game, Albo enthusiastically told Channel 7’s Brian Taylor on Roaming Brian: “They’re just young guys having a crack and playing incredible football. Two goals down at quarter time but they hung in there and were just awesome. It’s great, you could feel the atmosphere right around the ground too, around the ’G it was an awesome night.”

Andrew Dillon sits with Anthony Albanese at the footy.

‘Don’t have a stinker’: Dunstall’s warning to Ginnivan

Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall says he’s “uncomfortable” with one aspect of Jack Ginnivan’s pre-finals outing.

The former Magpie turned Hawks recruit has become the talk of the town after he was spotted out at Richmond’s London Tavern on Thursday night ahead of the club’s do-or-die match against the Western Bulldogs.

Jack Ginnivan spotted at the London Tavern.

Dunstall said he had no major issue with Ginnivan’s antics “so long as he’s not drinking”.

“I guess people prepare for games in different ways,” Dunstall told Fox Footy.

“I think you’re taking risks, but it’s a very different game and the younger generation are different people.

“The one thing that will make me uncomfortable is if you go out and have a stinker after that. It just throws fuel on the fire.”

Ginnivan was spotted out just before 9pm, with Kane Cornes on SEN questioning why “he would put himself in that position and cause a distraction”.

Dunstall’s colleague David King said it looked poor that he hadn’t learnt from his previous mistake of going out to the races at Moonee Valley the night before last year’s grand final.

Dunstall said: “We don’t know the ins and outs, we don’t know all the conversations that have been had. We’re told (coach Sam) Mitchell was aware of it but we don’t know what’s been said between people. We’d be guessing.”

Hawks coach miffed by hok-ball mania

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says he has no idea what the new catchphrase “hok-ball’’ actually means.

The new phenomenon and method of play has captured the attention of the footy world as the Hawks’ offensive game style has propelled them to a finals berth.

“I don’t actually exactly know what it means to be honest,’’ Mitchell said on Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“You kind of get a vague idea but the exact language of the young people today goes over my head. There’s two aspects of the way we play … the exuberance … the hard work … we make sure we’re focused on that.”

The term has been coined largely via the young players such a Jack Ginnivan, Josh Weddle, Will Day and Massimo D’Ambrosio.

Bucks confirms future amid commentary shake up

Nathan Buckley says he is loving his time with Fox Footy and isn’t going anywhere.

As the musical chairs in football media have begun to spin, Buckley confirmed his commitment.

“I’m really comfortable there,’’ he said.

“It’s been great, with the broadcast rights the opportunities grow so to be able to be involved in calling more games, I’m looking forward to that (next year).

“That’ll open up a whole different experience and being able to share your thoughts in real time. Fox have done really well in owning Saturdays.

“From what I’m told you won’t be able to see live AFL anywhere else other than Fox on a Saturday. That’ll be a really powerful thing.”

Buckley has also been linked to a return to coaching down the track.

The former Collingwood coach also works in radio for SEN.

Nathan Buckley is loving his role with Fox Footy. Picture: Getty

Clarko joins in for September action

Four-time premiership coach and current North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has decided to take up a role behind the mic during September.

Clarkson joins AFL.com.au’s Finals Focus show each Wednesday through September, alongside Essendon great Matthew Lloyd and host Sarah Olle.

“The Finals are the best time of the year, eight teams battling it out for premiership glory,’’ Clarkson said.

“After one of the closest seasons to date, the 2024 Toyota AFL Finals Series is shaping up to be one for the history books.”

Has Cornes dirtied up over Footy Show parting shot?

Has Kane Cornes dirtied up at the treatment he received from his soon to be former colleagues at Channel 9?

Cornes’ fellow Sunday Footy Show panellist Damian Barrett said he’d heard it may be the case but denied the show’s take-down of the Channel 7 recruit went too far.

The question was asked on Monday night’s episode of Footy Classified during the Good Call/ Bad Call segment, with panellist Caroline Wilson saying the Footy Show cross the line: “The Sunday Footy Show was always going to smash Kane because that’s the spirit of the show and I’m sure Kane took it in the spirit it was intended.”

Barrett said in a podcast discussion with his The Sounding Board co-host Craig Hutchison on Tuesday: “Yes we went hard at him, absolutely went hard at him. I don’t know whether there was a discussion about going over the top hard at him but we all had an element of the show to go hard at him which would happen most Sundays.

"If I employed these people, I'd want my money back." 😂

The boys did NOT hold back on Kane after the news broke he's jumping ship – reminding him about some of his old comments about his new colleagues 🍿🍿#9AFLSFS | Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/NfKlHsVxHM

— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) September 1, 2024

“I don’t apologise for going hard at him. I keep getting told he’s dirtied up.

“It was hard and it may have been over the top in some people’s eyes but that’s what the Sunday Footy Show is about.”

He added: “I’ve got nothing against Kane, zero against Kane. I’m friends with Kane and I know I will be but I don’t have to put out a red carpet for him as he’s leaving a place he’s been at for 10 years.

“That’s just a competitive instinct. We do play pretty hard in media.”

Thomas reveals how Cornes can make amends

Dale Thomas has outlined his demands in order to break bread with former foe turned colleague, Kane Cornes.

In one scathing comment last year, Cornes labelled Thomas lazy and said if he employed him part-time he’d want his money back.

Now the pair will work together on Channel 7 after Cornes’ well-publicised defection from Channel 9.

“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”,’’ Thomas posted on social media.

Kane Cornes has a bit of work to do to mend fences with some of his new colleagues after taking pot shots at them for years. Picture: Supplied

“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” ;)”

Thomas’ career has boomed over the past year with the former Collingwood and Carlton star also doing breakfast radio on Triple M.

Cornes cheekily claimed to take some credit for the rise.

Kouta all smiles

Footy great and Lord Mayor aspirant Anthony Koutoufides had a big win on Sunday.

The Carlton favourite, who has promised free coffees each week to city workers if elected, coached his son Lukas to an under 14s premiership with Ivanhoe in the Yarra League.

“They were tough conditions but we won by two goals and went back to back,’’ Koutoufides said.

“It was a step up for the boys and I feel a confidence boost from this. Whether it’s seniors or juniors it’s something they’ll remember for a long time.”

The cherry on top for Koutoufides was his son Lukas winning the best on ground medal.

“I don’t think there’s a better Father’s Day gift,’’ he said.

Anthony Koutoufides with son Lukas who was best on ground in the under 14s grand final.

“If I was Lord Mayor there’d be free coffees for everyone. Lukas is doing well, he loves basketball as well, but he has to put up with a lot and he pushes along playing in the middle as a ruck rover.”

Koutoufides will be in Brisbane for Carlton’s elimination final, doing Blues radio on SEN alongside Matthew Lappin and Andy Maher. His usual partner in crime Ang Christou is away in Greece.

Cody Weightman’s art exhibition raised $40,000 for charity. Picture: Jason Edwards

Weightman kicking goals for charity

Cody Weightman’s exhibition was a rousing success with the Bulldogs star raising $40,000 for Make a Wish.

Some of his impressive artwork was snapped up after the exhibition opened to the public from Friday.

Weightman had strong support from the footy community with teammates and opponents turning out, plus AFL CEO Andrew Dillon.