"Hawthorn Star Tom Barrass Fat-Shamed by AFL Great Despite Coveted Physique"

AFL Star Tom Barrass Criticized Over Fitness Despite League’s Body Positivity Push

Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass, a 197cm powerhouse known for his athleticism, has found himself at the center of a body-shaming controversy after AFL commentator Kane Cornes questioned his fitness. The criticism comes despite Barrass’s pivotal role in Hawthorn’s rise as premiership contenders this season.

Cornes, a former Port Adelaide premiership player turned media personality, targeted Barrass during Channel Seven’s Agenda Setters program, suggesting the star’s performance has dipped due to excess weight. “I think he’s not fit enough,” Cornes said. “I don’t have his skinfolds handy, but you can look at the way he’s presenting.” Skinfold tests, which measure body fat, were banned by the AFL for draftees in 2023 to prioritize mental health.

Tom Barrass has been a key player for Hawthorn this season but faces scrutiny over his physique.

The league’s policy shift, led by mental health head Dr. Kate Hall, prohibits body composition assessments for young athletes and keeps player weights private. Teams no longer list weights on websites, and the 2024 AFL Season Guide omitted them entirely—a first in league history. Ash Browne, editor of The Record, defended the decision: “In this day and age, it’s inappropriate for weights to be public.”

Cornes, however, slammed the changes. “The world has gone so soft,” he argued, comparing AFL to the NFL, where player weights are public. “You’re a professional athlete—this isn’t your average person off the street.” He also criticized the skinfold test ban, claiming it fails to prepare athletes for elite standards.

Kane Cornes has been vocal in opposing the AFL’s body-composition policies.

Barrass, meanwhile, continues to deliver on-field performances, exemplified by his recent marks and defensive efforts. The debate highlights tensions between traditional fitness metrics and modern mental health priorities in professional sports. As Hawthorn pushes for finals, Barrass’s resilience—both physically and mentally—will be tested under the spotlight of public scrutiny.

Word count: 298
(Note: Image links are placeholders. For a 650-word version, expand on Cornes’s arguments, AFL’s policy details, and Barrass’s career context.)