Kane Cornes slams AFL 'pandemic' after Zach Merrett milestone moment
The Essendon hero's special moment has been torched by the former Port Adelaide player.
Outspoken AFL pundit Kane Cornes says Essendon captain Zach Merrett’s milestone moment on Saturday night was further proof the game has lost the plot when it comes to guard of honours. The 200-game skipper was afforded the usual pomp and pageantry as he was chaired off the ground after Essendon's 77-point thumping by Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Merrett was joined on the ground by his baby boy and shared a beautiful moment with partner Alex Bourne as the Bombers star soaked up the occasion. However, Cornes was less than thrilled that Merrett was given a guard of honour for his 200th game, arguing that it should be reserved for much rarer feats on the footy field.
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“Why are we needing a guard of honour in terms of the Bombers lining up for him? I would’ve just gotten off the ground straight away,” Cornes said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show. “You’ve lost by 77, you’ve been embarrassed, game over halfway through the first quarter.”
Kane Cornes slams guard of honour 'pandemic'
The former Port Adelaide player described it as a "pandemic" that has crept into the game, insisting the AFL has gone overboard in terms of guard of honours in recent times. He referenced a similar honour being bestowed upon veteran umpire Brett Rosebury, who was celebrated for officiating in his 500th AFL game between Collingwood and Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.
“There’s a pandemic. We’re now lining up for umpires. It’s a great effort Brett, you’ve been a terrific umpire, game number 500, but we are lining up too often,” Cornes added. “What is it? At the end of your career we’ll send you off, you’ll be in the hall of fame, we’ll recognise that.
“GWS lining up for Rory Sloane in game number 250? What is going on? There is a guard of honour pandemic. “North Melbourne last week lined up for Zach Tuohy because he broke the Irish record (for AFL games played).”
Cornes' fiery rant came after he slammed North Melbourne players for staying on the ground to honour Mitch Duncan's 250th game last year, after the Kangaroos had been belted by 112 points against Geelong.
“Unless you’re Dustin Martin and you retire and it’s your last game, line up for Dustin Martin or a champion, Scott Pendlebury, (but) 250 (games), 200, umpires, breaking Irish records, that’s embarrassing,” Cornes insisted. “That’s embarrassing, Zach Merrett, 200, you’ve lost by 77, get off the ground.”
Essendon undone by classy Cats
The Bombers entered the match on a high after beating Adelaide last week in a performance captain Merrett labelled as the Bombers' best in his 10 years at the club. Unfortunately for the Bombers, Chris Scott's Cats produced what he described as "probably" their best display of the season to spoil the party for his twin brother and opposition coach, Brad.
"Clearly we were really disappointed after a good performance last week but it's just more evidence to me that it's a really tough competition," Essendon coach Brad Scott said.
"It's hard to believe they were sitting in eighth position starting this round, they were clearly the best team we've played all year."
Geelong could still pinch a top-four spot and a double finals chance as they sit just a game-and-a-half behind fourth-placed Melbourne, in the wake of the Demons' stirring comeback win over Brisbane on Friday night. The Cats tackle the Lions next up the Gabba on Saturday in what looms as a monster clash, while Essendon locks horns with the Western Bulldogs in a crucial top-eight match at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
with AAP
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