PORT’S Chad Cornes has chosen an odd way to reflect on his upcoming 200th AFL game.
As has become customary, the milestone player was rolled out in front of the media to talk about highlights and influences and changes and the future. Cornes probably did all that but the bit I saw on TV was disturbing.
So disturbing in fact that I’ve been waiting for word of an investigation to come from the AFL.
After the three quarter time siren in last Sunday’s game between Port Adelaide and Essendon the big Port ruckman Dean Brogan charged into the back of slightly built Bomber Andrew Lovett as he was making his way back to the team huddle for a rest. Play had stopped.
Umpire Dean Margetts saw what happened and laid a report.
In his press conference Cornes said Port had identified Lovett as an important player for Essendon and had set out from the start to “curb his influence”. Whacking the player during an interval in play was, according to Cornes, part of the tactic: “...that’s what that was all about,” he said.
It turned out there was no video evidence of the charge so Brogan decided to fight it. Part of the AFL’s investigation was to talk to Lovett who confirmed that something had happened. Brogan was suspended for a week.
Cornes strongly believes that Lovett broke the “players’ code of silence”.
“I think he’ll look back in a couple of years and be pretty disappointed with himself, the way he handled that,” Cornes said. He did not comment on how Brogan may one day reflect on running into the back of little bloke during a break of play.
“Unfortunately we don’t play them (Essendon) again this year but we look forward to playing them next year.” Was that a threat from Cornes?
Chad Cornes is suggesting in a very forceful manner that Andrew Lovett should have lied to an AFL investigation. He has also made a thinly veiled threat, seemingly on behalf of his team, against an opposition player.
He has, I believe, brought the game into disrepute. He is condoning thuggery and deceit and is suggesting retribution for those who don’t adhere to his strange code.
No, we’re not talking about the bikie wars. It’s the AFL and until yesterday its players were holding up nicely in comparison to their counterparts in the ARL.
Chad Cornes must be charged and, as a warning to others, his 200th game should be his last for a while.

•Chad Cornes of Port kicks past Andrew Lovett of the Bombers during the AFL round one match at AAMI Stadium. Photo: The Slattery Media Group

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