Port Adelaide gun Connor Rozee’s big news is a nightmare for Kane Cornes

Port Adelaide has confirmed massive news about two-time All-Australian Connor Rozee — and it’s the last thing Kane Cornes wants to read.

Former Port Adelaide Footballer, now outspoken radio host - Kane Cornes at the SEN studio. Picture SARAH REED

Somebody check on Kane Cornes.

That was the first message from Fox Footy analyst David King after news first emerged around Port Adelaide star Connor Rozee’s monster contract extension.

The Power on Monday morning confirmed Rozee has inked an insane eight-year deal that will take him through to the end of the 2032 season, making him one of the longest-contracted players in the competition.

The club’s announcement was followed by more big news with Rozee to take over the captaincy.

Rozee will turn 24 in January, but has been given the leadership position following Tom Jonas’ retirement.

Rumours around the contract suggest Rozee will be one of the highest paid players in the competition after Power great Warren Tredrea said earlier this year Rozee was set to agree to the richest deal in the history of the club.

Connor Rozee of the Power celebrates a goal. Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Cornes also said last month the deal is worth more than $1m per-year.

The Footy Show host has been a vocal critic of clubs offering long-term contracts, pointing out the numerous examples where deals have backfired on football clubs.

Seeing a long-term deal unfold at his own football club, Cornes’ reaction was expected to be priceless — but the former premiership winner didn’t have much to say on Monday morning.

“Love the player, hate the contract,” he wrote on Twitter.

Cornes discussed the deal last month when speaking on SEN radio.

“I think someone has got a voodoo doll,” Cornes said.

“I think someone’s got one with my face on it and they’re putting needles into it because there’s a big long-term contract that’s about to be signed very, very close to home.

Kane Cornes at the SEN studio. Picture SARAH REED

“Right under my nose and it will feature my first or second favourite player in the league.

“It’ll be for Connor Rozee, the next captain of Port Adelaide, put your house on that.

“It’s happening, I love him. But I think they never work out in the favour of the club apart from the odd exception.

“But well done to him (Rozee) and as I always say well done to the management.

“I’ll cop my medicine when that announcement happens, and I’ll criticise it we’ll move on.

“But it’s going to be a million plus (per year).”

It’s why King’s thoughts turned towards his footy media rival.

Can you call you know who and tell him please Cal - cheers https://t.co/8H8zy6uSF7

— David King (@davidking34) December 10, 2023

Rozee in October announced his engagement with his partner of three-years Maisie Packer.

The pair shared the news on Instagram with a joint post featuring a series of photos with the pair plus an engagement cake and close up of the ring, captioned: “Forever with you”.

Rozee’s teammates were quick to celebrate the pair’s engagement, with teammate Zak Butters calling the news “unreal”.

Rozee’s extension comes after Butters inked a two-year contract through to the end of 2026.

“It’s so humbling to follow in the footsteps of club greats such as Russell Ebert, Gavin Wanganeen, Matthew Primus, Travis Boak, the list just goes on and on,“ Rozee said, as reported by NCA NewsWire.

“To wear the No.1 guernsey is something I’m incredibly proud of and I won’t take for granted.

“I feel I’m ready to lead our group moving forward.”

“No doubt I’ll learn along the way, but I know I’ll have great support from the rest of my leadership group and also former captains Ollie Wines and Travis Boak.”Now a two-time All Australian as well as a club best-and-fairest winner in 2022, Rozee, who was taken with pick 5 in 2018, said he “never wanted to leave” the club.

Originally published as Port Adelaide gun Connor Rozee’s big news is a nightmare for Kane Cornes