Cornes tells female AFL commentator to quit after dressing room ban

Kane Cornes has told Channel 7 commentator Daisy Pearce her job is untenable after she was banned from AFL dressing rooms.

Kane Cornes has told Daisy Pearce she has no option but to quit her position as a commentator at Channel 7.

The Port Adelaide great-turned footy shock jock on Friday moved to give Pearce some blunt advice as the furore surrounding her dressing room ban continues to swirl.

Two clubs, Richmond and Brisbane, denied Pearce access to their changerooms as a result of what some have described as a conflict of interest.

Pearce last year was appointed to be an assistant coach with the Geelong men’s team — somewhat compromising her ongoing TV work with Channel 7.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

However, the situation took a twist on Thursday when Richmond legend Matthew Richardson hit out at the double standards of fellow media commentators being allowed access to the dressing rooms while also having connections to rival clubs.

But Richardson, who works alongside Pearce at Channel 7, said the fact fellow pundits Luke Darcy and Jimmy Bartel are able to come into the rooms while working in senior roles at rival clubs exposed a double standard.

“Luke Darcy (also on Seven) is the footy director at the (Western) Bulldogs, Jimmy Bartel is on the board at the (GWS) Giants, I don’t quite understand this one. I think it’s a bit over the top, to be honest,” Richardson told 3AW.

Daisy Pearce’s coaching role is causing a stir. Photo: Michael Klein

“I do a podcast (at Richmond). I don’t work in the footy department, but I could go down into the football department, which I don’t do.

“That’s what I’m saying, I don’t see why Daisy is being singled out here.

“I just don’t see why she’s being banned from rooms. I mean, there’s always been people with dual roles in this business, whether you think it’s right or not.

“There’s been plenty of media performers over the years that have also had roles at footy clubs, there’s plenty doing it now as we speak.”

Cornes, however, said it is up to Pearce to resolve the controversy by giving up one of the two jobs she holds.

“The Melbourne AFLW premiership captain is capable of becoming the AFL’s first female senior coach at some point down the line,” he wrote in a column for The Age.

“Pearce’s natural charisma, leadership qualities, exceptional communication skills and strategic mind put her in pole position to shatter the game’s historic gender barriers.

“To achieve this, she has no option but to give up her role in the media.”

He also said Pearce’s TV role is further compromised because the popular analyst would struggle to provide any form of negative feedback — especially surrounding Geelong.

“To do the job properly as an expert commentator, it is vital to analyse teams and players critically,” he wrote.

“While Seven’s coverage always leans to the positive, viewers expect the commentators to call out mistakes, questionable coaching tactics and poor efforts from players.

“Understandably, Pearce appears reluctant to do this.

“Viewers expect the commentators to offer unbiased opinions and insights that add to the broadcast and enhance the experience.

“Geelong have started the season poorly, with two losses. Would Pearce criticise her boss Chris Scott should the topic come up during Seven’s broadcast?”

Luke Darcy is on the board of directors at the Western Bulldogs. Photo by Michael Klein

Daisy Pearce in action for Channel 7. Photo: Michael Klein

Richardson earlier this week also pointed out Channel 7’s post-match coverage takes place in the winning team’s change rooms far away from any meeting room where game plans or intel could be spotted or overheard.

Pearce eventually joined Channel 7’s post-game show on Thursday night — which was broadcast from the Western Bulldogs’ rooms.

“Having been in the rooms for a long time now … we’re generally down the other end of the rooms,” he said.

“You’re at a desk, you’re getting a couple of players up to have a nice Dorothy Dixer-type interview about how good the night was.

“You’re in the winning rooms, so it’s all about positivity, it’s all about what’s happened out on the ground and having a bit of fun with the players as well and letting them show their personalities.

“I don’t possibly see how you could be finding out anything that could help the footy club that you may work for during that week.

Richo doesn’t understand by Jimmy Bartel (left) is allowed into the rooms but Daisy isn’t. Picture by Michael Klein

“Let me stress, as the host broadcaster, we are going nowhere near the coaches’ rooms where there is maybe stuff written up on the wall, information that you don’t want to get out.

“We’re in the actual changerooms where the players are icing up, family are mingling around chatting, there’s other broadcasters in there, radio stations, and everyone’s just having a good chat about the game.

“I just don’t see how anyone working in the media could be in there gathering information for the club you may work for.”

“Not one (incident of gaining information) springs to mind.

“The only thing you might pick up is you might see a player icing up a joint.

“I’ve never walked out of there thinking, ‘Oh I’m going to tell someone’, I don’t even think it enters your mindset.”

Channel 7’s managing director Lewis Martin believes it’s Pearce’s “match day role” with Geelong that has other teams concerned.

“I could be wrong, but I think perhaps her role at Geelong has even evolved deeper as she’s spent more time there,” Martin told SEN.

“My view was that we’d roll along with the season and as Daisy’s role at Geelong has become a bit more clear, then obviously there were going to be some clubs to respond to that.

“It’s not something we would force upon a club . . . because we’ve got so many options and Daisy’s insight on our broadcast is so valued, it’s not critical that she’s in the rooms, I guess.”