“He’s got a short memory”: Cornes questions Barrass’ comments as King labels contract call an error

Kane Cornes has questioned the trade chatter surrounding Tom Barrass which has arisen again in 2024.

The West Coast defender is again the subject of interest from rival clubs after he was strongly linked to the Sydney Swans last trade period.

SEN’s Sam Edmund reported earlier this week that the future of Barrass at the Eagles is not necessarily guaranteed despite the fact he is contracted until 2027.

RIVAL CLUBS CIRCLING BARRASS AS WEST COAST NEGOTIATIONS STALL

However, Barrass himself refuted those claims by saying the reported interest in him is “hardly a story”.

“It happens every year, and it’s hardly a story - AFL clubs chasing established key position players, it’s just the currency of football, so I wouldn’t be reading into it too much,” he told reporters in Perth.

“I’m a West Coast Eagles player, and unless the rug gets pulled out from under my feet, I’ll stay that way. I am really excited about what we are doing here, I am really excited about some of the talent.”

In response to those comments, Cornes feels like the 28-year-old premiership player and John Worsfold Medallist only has himself to blame for the renewed speculation.

He referenced the contact made by the Barrass camp to the Swans last year before he opted to remain with the Eagles.

“There was a hint of blaming the media there for the speculation over his future,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“He’s got a short memory though because it was actually the Barrass camp, according to Mitch Cleary, where they approached the Swans and tried to facilitate a trade.

“They actually approached Sydney for this to happen. Mitch said in trade time: “Sydney's list manager Kinnear Beatson said it was actually the Barrass camp that approached them the second time around this year. This time around they got a call from Barrass’ manager, Nick Gieschen saying, ‘Hey, you should have a look at Tom again’, three or four years later. It’s interesting now that he then decides to stay at the Eagles.”

“So the Barrass camp rang the Swans and the Swans confirmed this, saying, ‘You know my client Tom Barrass? You should have a look at trying to get him in the trade period’.

“And now only a few months later Tom Barrass is saying that it’s speculation created by the media. Tom, it was you, you created the speculation.”

David King feels the decision to stay put at West Coast was an error, pondering if the presence of Barrass would make the Swans an unbeatable team.

King said: “Is it the greatest error that you’ve seen for a while?

“Imagine he was at Sydney right now. They’d be unbeatable.

“I don’t think it was the Swans who let anyone down. I don’t think the Swans were the reason it didn’t happen. His error.

“Where would you rather be right now?”

Barrass and the Eagles are next in action against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium on Sunday.