Kane Cornes blasts AFL for bowing to Alastair Clarkson’s demands

An AFL legend has launched a stinging broadside at the league for bowing to Alastair Clarkson’s demands after an ugly weekend of footy.

Is footy facing a crisis?

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has blasted the AFL for bowing to Alastair Clarkson’s demands after the Hawthorn coach bemoaned the state of the game on the weekend.

After the Hawks’ 8.10 (58) to 8.6 (54) win over North Melbourne on Sunday, Clarkson complained about the “dreadful” spectacle and urged umpires to pay more free kicks for holding the ball.

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That game, as well as Geelong’s dull 7.5 (47) to 6.8 (44) victory over Melbourne, has sparked passionate debate about whether footy is in crisis and in need of rule changes to make it more attractive.

Clubs have been warned this week players will be pinged if they don't make an effort to get rid of the Sherrin before being tackled as umpires pay closer attention to stars guilty of holding the ball.

Cornes can’t believe the league is placing added scrutiny on that area of the game because of Clarkson’s complaint.

“How can we have a game where all it takes for a rule change is a coach to come out and have a sook midway through the season?” Cornes said on SEN SA.

“This is extraordinary that the AFL has informed clubs that they are changing the interpretation of the rule mid-year on the back of one of the 18 coaches criticising the rule.

“How much power can one coach have over the course, the direction and the interpretation of the game?

“It is extraordinary the power that this man wields over the competition and I can’t believe that the AFL are bowing to this.”

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There’s too much congestion for lots of fans’ liking.

Cornes doesn’t believe the AFL needs to make any massive changes, like reducing the amount of players on the field, but has suggested a couple of tweaks including limiting the interchange cap to 60 to bring fatigue back into the game.

Whatever changes eventuate, Cornes is adamant they shouldn’t be made on a whim because one footy figure has some gripes.

“Yes, of course have a look at some you got wrong but you don’t come out and alert all the clubs that you are making a significant adjudication adjustment in the rule just because a premiership coach comes out and says that it’s not good enough,” Cornes said.

“I honestly nearly fell off my chair when I heard this last night and the power that Alastair Clarkson has over those at the AFL continues to surprise me.

“Why is Clarko the judge and the jury on this one? Why is he the only voice?

“Whether it’s good for the game or not, the power he has to change the interpretation of a whole rule mid-season, it’s just unprecedented.

“No other coach in the comp would have that power. I can’t believe the AFL are bowing just to keep the Hawthorn coach happy.

“That’s basically what they’re doing. ‘Let’s make sure we keep Clarko happy’. What a joke.”