Page 13: Channel 7 to unleash new show built around Kane Cornes

Star recruit Kane Cornes is set to shake up the footy TV landscape in 2025 with a new show — but it will leave some ‘banal’ Channel 7 stars on the outer.

Channel 7 is set to unleash a new show built around agenda-setter Kane Cornes as part of a major shake-up of its football programs.

The bombshell move of poaching Cornes from Channel 9 this week has raised the stakes in the TV football wars for 2025.

It’s likely Seven will use their new signing in a head-to-head battle on Monday nights against rival established football programs Footy Classified on Channel 9 (which Cornes was on) and Fox Footy’s On The Couch.

But the future of Seven’s current panel show, Talking Footy on Wednesday nights, is clouded.

The show has failed to grab viewers with the line-up of former champions Trent Cotchin and Joel Selwood, Tim Watson and James Brayshaw not gelling.

“They want attitude rather than the current banality,” is how one Seven insider described the planned changes.

Kane Cornes has been brought in to shake up Channel 7’s banal coverage, according to one insider.

Cornes is likely to be joined by former Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge, who is the network’s main Friday night analyst on the new show which will raise the bar in hard-hitting opinions.

The signing of the Port Adelaide premiership player and 300-gamer was instigated by Seven’s new director of sport Chris Jones and was his first big statement in the role.

Jones replaced long-time boss Lewis Martin in June after he was let go during a mass axing that saw 150 jobs cut.

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

Cornes will go head to head with his old Footy Classified teammates Matthew Lloyd, Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison. Picture: Channel 9

“Kane’s demonstrated history of sharing his hard-hitting opinions with footy fans, paired with his signature candid commentary will take Seven’s AFL coverage to a new level in 2025.”

Cornes admitted he had already rubbed several of the Channel 7 team up the wrong way and he’d have to try and smooth things over with the likes of Luke Darcy and Matthew Richardson.

“Richo hates me because I’m critical of Richmond, Darce 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.”

It’s believed Cornes’ criticism of Cotchin’s social media appearance for Seven angered Martin who many believe wouldn’t have chased his signature if he’d remained in the job.

Luke Darcy has had his differences with Kane Cornes in the past. Picture: Channel 7

Cornes will team up with the station’s rising star, former Collingwood premiership wingman Dale Thomas, in the special comments chair on Thursday nights next season.

The Friday night line-up of Hodge alongside Brian Taylor, Richardson and Brayshaw is set to remain.

Cornes, who still lives in South Australia, will also appear on Seven’s coverage of Adelaide games plus across the network’s multiple platforms, delivering opinion and analysis throughout the week.

He will continue his radio gig with SEN where he appears on the breakfast show and co-hosts Sportday,