Kane Cornes hits back at Collingwood after eating humble pie

Kane Cornes was forced to offer up an apology to Collingwood fans for a misguided hot take but the AFL great was going down swinging.

Kane Cornes found himself on the dart board of every Collingwood fan after saying the club was only in the AFL finals to make up the numbers.

His claims blew up in his face on Saturday night when the Pies pulled off a stunning upset against West Coast in Perth to knock the Eagles out of the premiership race.

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Fans were quick to let him know about it with social media lighting up on Saturday night, forcing the former Port Adelaide premiership star turned media personality to address the comments on Sunday morning and issue an apology to the Pies.

But his apology came with a little clip for Collingwood, as Cornes labelled the Magpies “cocky” for the way supporters and club personalities came after him at full time.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Monday night, Collingwood’s finals chances became a hot topic with Cornes once again telling the club not to get too far ahead of itself.

Host Craig Hutchison delivered a harsh reality check to the club, believing the win over the Eagles would be as good as it gets in 2020.

“I agree they were making up the numbers in the final series. I gave them a good chance on the weekend,” Hutchison said.

“That was their Grand Final for me. I don’t think they can go any further than this. It was an almighty effort on the week. Full credit to them.”

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What a win it was for the Pies.

Journalist Caroline Wilson scoffed at Hutchison’s assertion and Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd said this weekend’s game against Geelong was a flip of the coin, before Cornes was brought into the discussion.

“I think they can win this week. It is going to be tough after that. Yes, I did apologise, Caro, I have certainly been told about it,” Cornes said of his serving of humble pie.

“But I would be careful not to be over the top with it, not to get too cocky about it with players getting caught up in this celebration.

“Yes, enjoy the moment for an hour after the game but then move on to your opponent because if you don’t that then you will be making up the numbers.”

Cornes also hit out at the way some key Collingwood figures reacted to the win, suggesting their minds aren’t fully on the job if his comments were inside their head.

Jeremy Howe took a shot on Twitter, as did the club’s official social media account. Captain Scott Pendlebury told ABC Grandstand the game was up there with his most memorable finals win, referencing the outside noise that had many writing Collingwood off.

Try that on for size Kane pic.twitter.com/Bn0AKJRIfG

— Jeremy Howe (@howie0038) October 3, 2020

“How many times have you seen Scott Pendlebury, the captain, reference media comments or Jeremy Howe reference media comments or for the club’s social media accounts to get caught up in what the media has to say?” Cornes asked.

Hutchison jumped in and told Cornes: “You can’t get precious about that, Kane.”

“I’m not precious, I love it. Bring it on as much as you can,” Cornes said.

“I just find it a rare situation where the captain of a football club, a day after the win would go on ABC radio and reference something the media said the following Sunday. Like, to have that still in your head ...

“I just hope they haven’t over celebrated, that’s my thought there.”

"That was their Grand Final for me...I don't think they can go any further than this."@craighutchy gave Collingwood no chance last week against West Coast, but the Elimination Final win hasn't changed his mind.#9FootyClassified | Watch @channel9 pic.twitter.com/qblJ4vfMv7

— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) October 5, 2020

Collingwood will lock horns with the Cats on Saturday night in the second semi-final. The winner of the game will move through to a preliminary final showdown against Brisbane.