Kane Cornes has hit again after he was given a swift clip on Saturday by Richmond coach Damien Hardwick.
Hardwick took intention at his former premiership teammate throughout his post-match press convention after his aspect cruised to a 46-point win towards the Eagles on the MCG.
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The Tigers coach took problem with Cornes after the previous Power participant turned media persona advised Richmond star Tim Taranto “didn’t influence games” and wasn’t within the high 150 gamers within the recreation.
It’s not the primary time he has hit out on the midfielder, labelling the choice by the membership to signal him and Jacob Hopper as “a horrific deal”.
Hardwick took intention at Cornes after Taranto produced his greatest outing for the Tigers on Saturday
“I know Kane really well and you guys know how the media work,” Hardwick mentioned.
“He doesn’t generally believe that comment, but what he does is he says it to get clicks. That’s how the media works. Surprise.
“He (Taranto) is an outstanding player. Those two boys that we brought in (Jacob) Hopper and Taranto, we wouldn’t be anywhere near where we need to be – or more importantly we wouldn’t be anywhere near where we want to be – without those two boys. They’ve been wonderful for our footy club.
“They’re starting to learn what it is to be a Richmond person and starting to play like Richmond men, which is really important. So I thought those two boys were very, very good today and will continue to be for a long period of time.”
Cornes returned fireplace on Sunday morning as he emphatically rejected the suggestion floated by Hardwick.
“I’ve never said anything for the sake of it, I’ve never said anything to get a click,” Cornes mentioned.
“I don’t get paid per click, I couldn’t care less if you click on it or not.
“I was a little bit surprised because I spoke to him yesterday (Saturday) morning and we had that discussion. He rang me. I was surprised after the game he went public with that. But we had a good discussion.
“I said to him it was part of an extended chat on a radio show on a Friday morning that would have lasted five minutes. If you go and read the one headline which he would have done, and not listened to the whole conversation in its full context, then yes you could say that was said for clicks.
“One of his great strengths is his loyalty and support for his players, which we’ve seen for a number of years, and I admire that about him.
“It was a good discussion. We had a good chat, in the end we chatted about our families … he is a premiership teammate, he was one of my favourite teammates, I’ve got so much respect for him.
“I was just surprised it’s blown up like this after the conversation we had.”
Cornes then doubled down on his remarks relating to Taranto, saying the midfielder is the very best participant in what’s at present a nasty group.
“It depends which way you look at it … he played against a side that wasn’t that strong,” he mentioned of the Eagles.
“He’s playing a role for them. If I’d flipped that and said he is in the top 15 to 20 per cent of players in the game, is that less provocative? Because that’s what it is.
“Top 150 … you are in the top echelon of players in the game.
“I don’t think he hurts you. They are a side that’s bottom four at the moment, so it’s not that difficult to be their best player.
“If you’re not getting 30 you’re probably not that deserving of your spot in there. I just think his ball use has hurt him.”
Source: www.news.com.au
