Since You’ve Been Gone: Kane Cornes reacts to Longmire exit, the AFL’s sub rule, Young, Darcy and more

So much has happened in the AFL world since Kane Cornes was last on SEN.

Upon his return to the airwaves on Monday morning, Cornes reacted to a number of footy topics that have occurred in the last few months.

SEN Breakfast co-host Sam Edmund put a number of topics to Cornes in the Since You’ve Been Gone segment.

John Longmire’s departure and Dean Cox taking over at Sydney

“It’s admirable from John,” said Cornes.

“I think the club would be thrilled with the way that this has seamlessly been handed over.

“Since its been announced everyone has moved on and there’s been no controversy behind it.

“There’s clearly no bad blood and that is all in the court of John who has handled himself so well.

“The flow-on effect is what I’m most interested in. The scars of the shocking Grand Finals and having the motivation.

“It will be a good storyline to watch.”

Young and Balta’s massive contract extensions at Fremantle and Richmond

“I like him (Young) as a player, but it’s just so ridiculously stupid.

“I can’t get my head around what clubs are doing. People out there will say it gives you control of your salary cap, but it’s complete rubbish.

“It is a very minor benefit when it comes to signing a player who has probably had one or two top-notch seasons at AFL level until the end of 2033.

“You already had him under contract. It is stupid.

“Noah Balta signing that contract (at Richmond) is one of the dumbest moves I’ve ever seen from a footy club.

“This isn’t Glen Jakovich, this is Noah Balta.

“There are so many (long contracts) that they just become commonplace. You almost forget to call clubs out.

“Hayden Young is a far superior player to Noah Balta, don’t get me wrong, but do you know how long 2033 is away?”

Sam Darcy’s four-year Dogs deal

“Great business from the Dogs.

“No surprise given the connection to the footy club (with his dad Luke).

“I’m not sure how important money is to him at this stage of his career but he’s probably left $1 million on the table.

“He’s clearly really happy there and it feels the right environment for him… but I just would have made them sweat a fraction longer.

“He would have got a guaranteed richest deal in the history of football if he was prepared to leave. Can you imagine what a club would have offered him if he were out of contract?

“This isn’t a criticism. Maybe the money factor is not important.

“One of the great contract signings for the Western Bulldogs to stick him up for a long, long time.”

No smart ball (score assist) technology for 2025

Edmund said: “It had a few hairs on it when it came to the women’s competition.

“Clearly they’re just not satisfied with how it holds up and how it can be adopted for broadcast.

“It’s not ready so we’re not getting it.”

Cornes responded: “I was under the impression this was in.

“It was a terrible TV spectacle when they’re going to check the technology and all you’ve got is the camera on the goal umpire and field umpire just twiddling their thumbs and you don’t know what they’re looking at.

“That was a huge issue. And then you become skeptical and you go, ‘Hang on, have they just made this up?’, because how would we know?

“Clearly the technology is not there which I reckon is a huge blow. That’s a big blow to where we thought we were going to be.

“It is a shame.”

AFL confirms sub rule will remain in 2025

“I just like four on the bench, to be fair,” Cornes said.

“There was no need to bring the sub in. We all hated the sub back in the day.

“I would have thought it was a fait accompli that it was gone. I would have thought it was going to be five on the bench. I would have rathered four.

“The clubs don’t like it, the players don’t like it, the fans don’t like it, but someone at the AFL does like it.”

Edmund added: “I thought the concussion sub made a lot of sense if we were going to get more serious about concussion and the pressure on doctors to make those calls and not have a safety net.

“Once it became tactical… I’m not sure what’s wrong with five on the bench.

“Anyway, the sub is going to remain even though I think the majority of coaches were against it staying.”

Cornes added: “Can you find me one person that is for the subs?

“Clearly there is someone at the AFL, a nameless person who has influence that likes the sub.

“Other than that I haven’t heard anyone that likes it.”

Goodwin confirms Petty will play in defence for Demons

“Fancy that!

“You’ve got to think what goes through some clubs’ minds. You’re just going to make Harrison Petty a forward when he’s got no ability to play as a forward.

“He kicked nine goals last year, nine goals. We’re sitting there going, ‘Harrison Petty can’t touch it as a forward, he looks like a horrible footballer as as forward’.

“Clubs become so stubborn. It’s almost like they’re fighting against the pressure from external, either the fans or media, who highlight that it isn’t working.

“Well done to them and Simon for finally waking up to the fact that Harrison Petty is not a forward.

“It’s a good start for Melbourne.”