"Kane Cornes’ Hypocrisy Exposed: Teammate Reveals Contradictory Past Amid Media Criticism"
This title condenses the core conflict, highlights the revelation of hypocrisy, and maintains clarity within the word limit.
Former Port Adelaide Teammate Slams Kane Cornes as Hypocrite Over Harsh Media Criticism
By Andrew Prentice | Updated: May 6, 2025
Dom Cassisi (left) and Kane Cornes (right) celebrating their 2004 AFL Premiership with Port Adelaide.
Port Adelaide legend Dom Cassisi has called out ex-teammate-turned-media-personality Kane Cornes, accusing him of hypocrisy for harshly criticizing modern players despite struggling with criticism during his own career. The pair won the 2004 AFL Premiership together, but Cassisi claims Cornes’ approach to analyzing today’s stars contradicts his own thin-skinned past.
“He couldn’t handle criticism himself,” Cassisi revealed on Channel Seven’s Two Team Town. “If someone critiqued Kane’s game, he’d shut down. He’d avoid the club, go silent for days. Now he’s doing the same thing to young players like Harry Sheezel and Jy Simlin—it doesn’t add up.”
The feud intensified after North Melbourne banned Cornes from interviewing coach Alastair Clarkson ahead of their clash with Essandons on May 1. The club deemed Cornes’ critiques of Sheezel and Simlin “personal and vindictive,” with Clarkson stating the media veteran had “crossed a line.”
Harry Sheezel, one of the young players targeted by Cornes’ critiques.
Cassisi urged players to take Cornes’ remarks with a grain of salt: “We laugh because Kane couldn’t handle criticism, yet he dishes it out. Players today need to ignore the noise.” He also referenced Cornes’ history of anxiety, questioning how someone who struggled with mental health could “inflict that stress on others.”
Cornes, however, doubled down: “My job is to ask tough questions. Fans demand accountability when a club hasn’t won in years.” He acknowledged his own sensitivity as a player but defended his approach: “I’ve always been honest. That won’t change.”
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson criticized Cornes’ “personal” critiques.
The clash highlights the tension between media scrutiny and player welfare. While Cornes’ supporters argue his analysis drives accountability, critics like Cassisi believe his methods undermine the resilience he once lacked. As debates over “old-school toughness” versus modern mental health awareness rage, one thing is clear: Cornes’ polarizing style won’t fade quietly.
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