Kane Cornes Slams Collingwood: “They’ve Gotten Worse — The Club Needs to Do Something Fast”
Outspoken AFL analyst and former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes has once again lit a fire under the Collingwood Football Club, claiming the reigning premiers have “clearly gotten worse” and warning that the team is “in all sorts of trouble” unless drastic action is taken. His comments, made during a recent segment on SEN, have reignited debate about the Magpies’ decline in form and the growing list of concerns surrounding their playing group and coaching setup.
Cornes, never one to mince words, dissected Collingwood’s season with brutal honesty. “They’ve gone from being one of the most relentless and united sides in the competition to a team that looks flat, predictable, and uninspired,” he said. “They’ve gotten worse — there’s no doubt about that. The energy, the intensity, the hunger that made them great last year is missing. They’re in all sorts of trouble.”
A Championship Hangover or Deeper Issues?
After their 2023 premiership triumph, many expected Collingwood to maintain their dominance. But Cornes believes the warning signs have been evident for months. “You can’t just rely on past success,” he said. “The league moves fast. Other teams have improved, while Collingwood seem to be going backward. The game plan that once looked so dynamic now looks stale. Opposition sides have worked them out.”
Cornes highlighted several areas of concern, including a loss of defensive pressure, a declining midfield output, and questionable forward structure. “The defensive intensity that won them games in 2023 is gone. They used to swarm opponents, force turnovers, and punish mistakes. Now, they allow teams too much space and time on the ball,” he explained. “Their midfield, once a weapon with the likes of Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey, and Darcy Cameron working in sync, now looks disconnected.”
He also questioned whether complacency had crept in. “You win a flag, and sometimes that edge dulls just a little. Maybe it’s subconscious, maybe it’s mental fatigue — but Collingwood no longer looks hungry. And in the AFL, if you’re not desperate, you get exposed.”
Players Under the Microscope
Cornes didn’t shy away from calling out individual players who, in his opinion, have failed to meet expectations. “Jordan De Goey’s form has dropped off a cliff,” he said. “He was electric last year — powerful, damaging, and consistent. Now, he drifts in and out of games. Nick Daicos is still elite with the ball, but he’s being targeted more physically, and the team hasn’t adjusted to protect him.”
He also raised questions about senior leadership. “Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom have been great servants of the club, but you can’t expect them to carry the side forever. The younger core needs to take responsibility. Right now, too many players are waiting for someone else to step up.”
Cornes even took aim at the forward line, suggesting that Collingwood’s scoring power has evaporated. “Brody Mihocek looks isolated. They lack a consistent second option. You can’t win games if you’re scoring 60 points a week.”
Coaching and Tactical Concerns
While Cornes has often praised coach Craig McRae for his positivity and man-management skills, he questioned whether the coaching staff had been slow to adapt. “McRae has done an amazing job turning Collingwood around over the past few years, but now he’s facing his biggest test,” Cornes said. “You can’t just rely on the same formula. The opposition has found ways to counter their ball movement and pressure game.”
He emphasized that Collingwood’s structure and decision-making have been subpar. “They look hesitant with the ball. The handball chains that used to slice through teams now end in turnovers. The defense is leaking goals, and their transition play has become sloppy. That’s a coaching issue as much as a player issue.”
“The Club Needs to Do Something”
Cornes urged Collingwood’s hierarchy to act before the situation worsens. “The club can’t just sit back and hope things fix themselves,” he warned. “They need to make tough calls — whether that’s dropping out-of-form players, changing the tactical setup, or even reconsidering selection balance. There has to be accountability.”
He also suggested that the club may need to inject fresh energy into the side. “Maybe it’s time to give some young players a chance. Get some hunger back into that lineup. Sometimes, a few bold changes can reignite the fire.”
A Wake-Up Call for the Magpies
Despite his harsh criticism, Cornes made it clear that he believes Collingwood can turn things around — if they confront their problems honestly. “This is still a quality team with elite talent. But right now, they’re coasting. The spark that made them special has dimmed. They need to rediscover their identity — the grit, the belief, the desperation.”
He ended with a warning that echoed across the AFL landscape: “Collingwood are too proud a club to fade away quietly. But if they don’t act soon, their season could slip away before they know it. They’ve gotten worse — and unless they do something about it, it’s only going to get uglier.”
Would you like me to make this sound more like a news article for a sports website (formal tone) or a radio-style commentary (more conversational with Cornes’ voice emphasized)?
