Hidden message in Collingwood game day banner is too savage

Collingwood took the subtle approach to getting its revenge on an outspoken AFL pundit who slammed a young gun for being too brash.

Revenge is a dish best served in giant letters, apparently.

Collingwood hit back at Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes after the AFL pundit took exception with the behaviour of young gun Jack Ginnivan following the Pies’ round one win over St Kilda.

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Ginnivan was filming content of his celebrations with teammates both on and off the field while using a camera belonging to the football club, and Cornes didn’t like it.

“They finished 17th last year. You’ve beaten St Kilda, who no one expects will do anything this year, stop carrying on,” he said last weekend.

“That’s Jack Ginnivan, you’ve played six games. Just relax. Earn some respect in the game before you go on carrying on like that.

“If I’m (Adelaide coach) Matthew Nicks, I’m playing Collingwood next week and I’m showing that vision going, ‘who do these guys think they are?’

“You don’t see Geelong carrying on like that. You don’t see Richmond and dynasty teams carry on like that. Earn some respect before you start carrying on like that, saying it was ‘light work’ and ‘the first of many’. There’s a thing about winning in a humble way.”

Collingwood has clearly been stewing on that criticism all week and had a message for Cornes when it unveiled its game day banner for Saturday’s clash against Adelaide at the MCG.

“Black and white stripes, on the ‘G looking nice, flying round the Crows, powerful, quick, precise,” the banner read.

It doesn’t sound too spicy when you read it like that, but some of the letters were strategically dropped down lower on the banner. When you only include all of those letters that seem slightly out of place, the message reads: “Kane the fun police.”

Cop that.

Cornes was on Collingwood’s mind. Photo: @mottersjames/Twitter.

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was in complete disagreement with Cornes’ hot take, responding by saying younger players showing “personality” is just something the footy world is going to have to get used to.

“Kane’s got a segment he needs to fill so he’s got to find something that he’s not happy about,” Buckley said on SEN Breakfast during the week.

“The volcano needs to happen apparently.”

However, when asked by co-host Garry Lyon if he had a problem with the vision of Ginnivan celebrating, Buckley said: “A little bit of a problem with it.

“No, I loved the personality. You’ve got to embrace it and from what I can gather, Fly (Pies coach Craig McRae) is big on that as well. Especially with young guys coming in there. You’ve just got to let them go.

“They’ll get whacked on the head and dust themselves off and go again. They are brash, a little bit over the top at times, and will have emotional reactions that aren’t as regulated as senior leaders. Let’s just see it for what it is.”

Kane Cornes rarely bites his tongue. Picture: Matt Turner.

Originally published as Hidden message in Collingwood game day banner is too savage